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
263 Consulting Services
Ltd
|
Past Directorships (within 5 years)
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)
|