Wynnstay Regulatory News (WYN)

8 May 2018

AIM: WYN

WYNNSTAY GROUP PLC

("Wynnstay" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Retirement of CEO, Ken Greetham,

&

Appointment of Gareth Davies as CEO Designate

Wynnstay, the agricultural supplies group, announces the forthcoming retirement of Chief Executive Officer, Ken Greetham, after 21 years with the Company, the last 10 as Chief Executive Officer. At the same time, Wynnstay also reports the appointment today of Gareth Davies, Joint Managing Director of Wynnstay (Agricultural Supplies) Ltd, to the Board as Chief Executive Designate. This follows the completion of a thorough recruitment process, which looked externally and internally, to identify a successor to continue the Group's successful development. 

Ken has made a very significant contribution to Wynnstay during his long career with the business, and will continue in his current role until early July 2018, in order to complete a smooth handover with Gareth. At that point, he will step down from the Board but will remain available in an advisory capacity for a period thereafter. The Board is very pleased to take this opportunity before he retires to thank Ken for his dedicated leadership of the Group. 

Gareth, aged 54 years, joined Wynnstay in 1999, and for the last five years has been Joint Managing Director of Wynnstay (Agricultural Supplies) Ltd. He is also a Director of some of Wynnstay's joint venture and associate companies. He joined Wynnstay as Sales Manager for South Wales, and became Head of Agriculture in 2008. A graduate of Harper Adams University, Gareth commenced his career in agriculture at a large scale beef and sheep farm before joining Kemira Fertilisers, where he worked for 13 years. He also established his own enterprise in fertiliser and seed sales.

Gareth is also currently a Director of Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales, the industry-led organisation responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of Welsh red meat. In addition, he is a member of the Welsh Government Trade and Supply Chain Working Group and the Welsh Government Rural Communities body, and Treasurer of British Grassland Society.

Jim McCarthy, Chairman of Wynnstay, commented:

"Ken Greetham has led Wynnstay for the last 10 years with tremendous skill and judgement, and his contribution to the Group over 21 years has been outstanding. On behalf of all his colleagues at Wynnstay, we wish him a happy retirement and thank him for his leadership, particularly over the last two years, which have been some of the most difficult in recent history for the agricultural sector. 

"Ken is succeeded by Gareth Davies, a highly talented individual and a strong team player, who, like Ken, is passionately committed to the business. Under his guidance, we are confident that Wynnstay will continue to develop and grow, extending its geographic presence and building its position in its chosen markets." 

Ken Greetham, Chief Executive Officer of Wynnstay, said:

"It has been a tremendous privilege to lead Wynnstay, and to work alongside the very talented people within the Group. I hand over my role to Gareth Davies, someone I respect and trust, and share the Board's confidence in Gareth's ability to drive the Group's ongoing growth and development. I am confident that Wynnstay will continue to grow and flourish under his leadership."

Additional information:

Gareth Wynn Davies, aged 54 years, is currently a Director of:

Save as set out in this announcement there are no further matters to be disclosed under Rule 17 or paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules for Companies.

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