Wynnstay Group PLC Board Changes

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 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)

 

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