Water Intel. Regulatory News (WATR)

18 May 2007 07:00

Qonnectis plc18 May 2007 For Immediate Release 18 May 2007 Qonnectis plc Directorate Changes The Board of Qonnectis plc ("Qonnectis" or "the Company") is pleased to announcethe appointment of Guy Arthur Chant as a Non-Executive Director. Guy Chant (53) has had extensive experience within the European utilitiesindustry, at both senior management and Board levels. Between 2002 and 2004 hewas Commercial Director of Thames Water Utilities Ltd and External AffairsDirector of Thames Water plc. More recently, Guy was Executive Director atBerlinwasser Holding AG, (a joint venture between Land Berlin, RWE/Thames Water("RWE") and Veolia Environnement S.A.) the main water utility serving the cityof Berlin. He left the Thames Water group during 2006 following RWE'sannouncement of its intention to sell its UK subsidiary. Prior to entering the utilities industry, Guy was Marketing Director of CraneLtd and a Director of Crane Europe Ltd. Between 1995 and 1999 he was ManagingDirector of Thames Municipal Products Ltd ("TMP"). Here he oversaw thedevelopment of a group of Thames Water-owned manufacturing and engineeringbusinesses operating in Europe, America, the Middle East and Asia. This groupincluded a business called Talisman Systems, established for TMP by Qonnectis'founder and CEO, Michael Tapia, in 1994 which he took to leadership in theEuropean utility metering market prior to its sale to Severn Trent Water in1997. Guy was an early investor in Qonnectis (his current shareholding inQonnectis plc amounts to 1,115,694 shares, representing 0.51% of the issuedshare capital) and a member of the board when it was a private company prior toits merger with IP Holdings plc in April 2003. Commenting on Mr. Chant's appointment, Richard M. Taylor, Chairman, said: "I am delighted that Guy is joining the Qonnectis Board. I am sure that hisinsight into the challenges and opportunities currently facing the Europeanutility industry, and how Qonnectis can take best advantage of them, will proveinvaluable." Mr. Chant has been a director or partner in the following companies during the past five years: Thames Water Services LimitedQonnectis Networks LimitedQonnectis Group LimitedCentral Berkshire Education Business Partnership There is no further information to disclose in accordance with Schedule Two(g) of the AIM Rules. The Company also announces the resignation of Percival Albuquerque as aNon-Executive Director effective 17th May 2007. The Board wishes to thank Mr.Albuquerque for his contribution to the Company's development. For further information, contact: Qonnectis plcMichael Tapia, Chief Executive Officer 01932 788299 HB CorporateEdward Hutton 020 7510 8600 Bankside ConsultantsMichael Padley/Sue Scott 020 7367 8888 ENDS This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange