7th Jun 2006 18:17
Morrison(Wm.)Supermarkets PLC07 June 2006 Wm. MORRISON SUPERMARKETS PLC Appointment of new Chief Executive Retirement of David Jones as Director The Board of Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC announces today the appointment ofMarc Bolland to succeed Bob Stott as Chief Executive of the Group. MarcBolland, aged 47, will take up his new position on 1 September 2006. Marc Bolland is currently Chief Operating Officer and executive board member ofHeineken N.V. as well as non-executive director of Manpower Inc. Marc has helda number of senior roles at Heineken over the last 20 years, amongst which hasbeen the responsibility for the Heineken brand strategy and the company'smarketing strategy. Currently living in Amsterdam, Marc will move to Yorkshireon taking up his appointment. Marc will chair the Morrisons Executive Board taking responsibility for theGroup's overall commercial and strategic development and delivering theOptimisation Plan. David Jones will retire as Director at the end of June 2006. David joined theBoard in 2004 and was appointed Deputy Chairman in 2005. He also held theposition of Senior Independent Director. Following David's retirement, PaulManduca will become Senior Independent Director. A search has commenced to finda Deputy Chairman who will eventually succeed Sir Ken Morrison who recentlyannounced his intention to retire as Chairman and Director of Morrisons byJanuary 2008. Sir Ken Morrison said: "I am delighted to have appointed Marc Bolland as Chief Executive of Morrisons.Marc has a wealth of experience operating in a highly competitive consumerproducts sector and also brings extensive commercial and leadership skills tothe Group which will ensure its continued progress." "With Marc we will have an excellent management team and I am confident thatunder his new leadership the Group will take up its rightful position as TheBest Grocer in Town, and in so doing deliver sustainable profit growth for thebenefit of all our stakeholders." Commenting on Bob Stott's retirement, Sir Ken said: "Bob has been a majorcontributor to the development of the Group over the last 10 years, sincere-joining the business. I would like to express my personal gratitude to Bobfor his support and wise counsel over the years." Sir Ken thanked David Jones for his contribution to Morrisons since 2004 saying:"David has made a notable contribution to the Board over the last two years andhas been very supportive during a period of major change." Marc Bolland said: "This is a great opportunity for me to head one of the UK'sleading companies, and I am looking forward to the challenge." -ENDS- Enquiries Wm Morrison SupermarketsInvestor RelationsNiall Addison 0845 611 5739 Media RelationsWm Morrison Supermarkets Gillian Hall 0845 611 5359 Citigate Dewe Rogerson Jonathan Clare 020 7638 9571 Simon Rigby Sarah Gestetner This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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