REG - Wynnstay Group PLC - Board Changes

WynnstayAnnouncement

13/09/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 9935D  Wynnstay Group PLC  13 September 2024

AIM: WYN

WYNNSTAY GROUP PLC

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

 

Board Changes, including

Appointment of Alk Brand as CEO

 

Wynnstay, the agricultural supplies group, announces that, Gareth Davies, has
stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer as he continues to focus
on a serious family matter; he remains on the Board of Directors. At the same
time, the Company is pleased to announce today the appointment of Alk Brand as
Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 October 2024. These events follow
Gareth's agreed period of leave, reported on 26 February 2024.

 

Steve Ellwood, Chairman, who assumed executive responsibilities on an interim
basis, as reported on 26 February 2024, will relinquish these responsibilities
and return to his previous non-executive role on 1 October 2024. Group Finance
Director, Rob Thomas, who also took up additional duties to cover Gareth's
leave of absence, has had his portfolio of responsibilities redefined and
becomes Chief Financial Officer from 1 October 2024, with the Finance function
also strengthened.

 

Alk Brand's appointment follows the completion of a thorough recruitment
process to identify a suitable successor to Gareth. Alk, aged 59 years, is a
highly experienced CEO, with a significant understanding of the agricultural
sector, supply chains, farming co-operatives, and food markets. He was
previously CEO for four years of Westfalia Fruit Group, the UK-headquartered
multinational supplier of fresh fruit and plant-based products to
international retail, foodservice and wholesale markets. He was also CEO of
Hans Merensky Holdings, the governance structure for most of Westfalia Fruit's
shareholders. Before that, from 2012, Alk headed European Oat Millers, the
Bedford-based miller and supplier of grain-based ingredients, latterly
overseeing its successful sale to and integration with Richardson
International. Alk has a highly successful record in business growth and
development and in M&A, including acquisition integration and efficiency
programmes. He was also a Board member of The British Oats and Barley
Manufacturing Association and qualified as a Chartered Director. He comes from
a family farming background in South Africa.

 

Gareth has made a very significant contribution to Wynnstay as Chief Executive
Officer and before that as a Head of Agriculture. He will remain on the Board
in an advisory capacity as a non-executive director for a further period,
enabling the Group to continue to benefit from his experience, relationships
and knowledge. The Board is pleased to place on record its thanks to Gareth.

 

Further information in accordance with paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the
AIM Rules for Companies (the "AIM Rules") is set out at the end of this
announcement.

 

Steve Ellwood, Chairman of Wynnstay Group Plc, said:

"Alk has a significant understanding of agriculture, supply chains and food
production as well as wide ranging commercial experience. We welcome him to
the Group and look forward to working with him as we continue to take the
business forward. I also take this opportunity to thank Gareth for the major
contribution he has made to the development of the business over many years.
He remains a valued and well-respected colleague who remains on the Board in
an advisory capacity for a further period."

 

Alk Brand, Incoming Chief Executive Officer of Wynnstay Group Plc, said:

"I am very pleased to be joining Wynnstay. The Group has a strong position in
the agricultural sector which continues to adapt to changing market forces. I
look forward to helping to drive the Company growth and development over the
medium term as we maintain our strong commitment to UK farmers."

 

Gareth Davies, Former Chief Executive Officer of Wynnstay Group Plc, said:

"Alk will be well-supported by the strong teams at Wynnstay as he assumes the
role of Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to supporting Alk and
continuing to contribute to the Group for a further period in my advisory
capacity on the Board."

 

 

Enquiries:

 Wynnstay Group Plc                Steve Ellwood, Chairman                                        T: 020 3178 6378 (today)

                                                                                                  T: 01691 827 142

 KTZ Communications                Katie Tzouliadis, Robert Morton                                T: 020 3178 6378

 Shore Capital (Nomad and Broker)  Stephane Auton, Henry Willcocks, Tom Knibbs, Rachel Goldstein  T: 020 7408 4090

 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the UK version of the Market
Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this
announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public
domain.

Regulatory Disclosures

Save for the information set out above and below, there are no further
disclosures to be made in accordance with Rule 17 and Schedule Two paragraph
(g) of the AIM Rules in respect of the appointment of Albertus ("Alk") Barend
Brand, aged 59. Mr. Brand does not hold any beneficial interest in the
Company's share capital.

 

 Current Directorships         Past Directorships (within 5 years)

 263 Consulting Services Ltd   Westfalia Fruit Limited

                               Westfalia Fruit UK Limited

                               Westfalia Fruit International Limited

                               Westfalia Colombia Limited

                               Persea Limited

                               HMH Intellectual Holdings Limited

                               Westfalia Fruit Froid SAS

                               Richardson Milling (UK) Limited (formerly known as European Oat Millers
                               Limited)

                               Westfalia Fruit France Holding SAS

                               Hans Merensky Holdings

                               Westfalia Farms Colombia S.A.S

                               Westfalia Fruit Colombia S.A.S.

                               West-In Avo Private Limited

                               Euro West B.V.

                               Aztecavo Mexico S.AP.I de CV

                               Inversiones Agricom SpA

                               Westfalia Fruit Marketing USA LLC

                               Westfalia Fruit USA Inc

                               Westfalia Fruit Peru S.A.C.

                               Westfalia Fruit Services SAS

                               Westfalia Fruit (PTY Ltd)

 

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