26th May 2005 11:27
Evolution Group PLC26 May 2005 26 May 2005 Evolution Group Plc - Directorate Change At today's Annual General Meeting of Evolution Group plc ('Evolution'), thelisted investment bank and retail fund management group, the Group's foundingExecutive Chairman, Richard Griffiths, announced the following Board changes: 'Following our entry to the FTSE 250 last year I was delighted that LordMacLaurin of Knebworth accepted my invitation to join the board as our seniornon-executive director. At my request Lord MacLaurin subsequently undertook areview of the board structure to ensure that Evolution is fully equipped to takethe business to the next stage of its development, and the changes we areannouncing today reflect the outcome of that review. As a result Martin Gray will be appointed, with immediate effect, asNon-Executive Chairman. Martin is a former director of NatWest Bank Group plcand has over 40 years' experience in the UK financial services industry. I will remain an Executive Director of Evolution, and will assume the title ofPresident. In this role I will focus on key client relationships and businessdevelopment and will report to the Group's Chief Executive, Alex Snow. 'It is now four years since I led the creation of Evolution, and in that timethe Group has developed faster and more successfully than I had imaginedpossible when we started. 'My new role enables me to continue to add significant value to Evolution'sdevelopment. Lord MacLaurin and I have put a lot of effort into ensuringthat this move works in the best interests of the company and all itsstakeholders, and I am sure that Martin Gray will be an excellent chairman forEvolution.' Lord MacLaurin added: 'In today's environment the successful running of a PLCboard requires a non-executive chairman, with a clear understanding of hiscompany's area of business, and the time and appetite to commit to thisdemanding role. I am confident that Martin Gray's senior PLC board experience,and his deep understanding of the banking and financial services industries andtheir regulatory environments, make him the ideal candidate to perform this roleat Evolution. We now have a normalised board structure, with a non-executiveChairman in charge of the Board, and a Chief Executive who is responsible forall aspects of the Group's businesses.' Mr.Gray said: 'I was delighted to accept the Board's invitation to becomeEvolution's new Chairman. The Group has achieved remarkable success in a shortspace of time, and has created considerable value for shareholders. I lookforward to helping maintain that record over the coming years.' Martin Gray FCIB: Aged 58, Martin Gray spent over 36 years with the NatWest Bank Group. From1992-98 he was Chief Executive of NatWest UK, and from 1993-99 he was a GroupBoard Member of NatWest Group PLC. In his operational role in charge of theGroup's UK businesses he was responsible for assets of over £100 bn, annualrevenues of nearly £5 bn, annual profits of approx. £1 bn, and over 55,000staff. Mr.Gray also was a member of the Global Board of Mastercard Inc. from 1993-96,and was a director of Visa Europe from 1996-99. He is currently a non-executivedirector of National Savings and Investments and Miller Insurance Group. No further details regarding Martin Gray are required to be disclosed to complywith Rule 16.4 of the Listing Rules. ENDS Enquiries: The Evolution Group Plc 020 7071 4300Alex Snow, Chief ExecutiveGraeme Dell, Finance Director Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial 020 7861 3232Charles CookSarah Landgrebe This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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