28th Oct 2005 13:47
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC28 October 2005 IMPERIAL TOBACCO GROUP PLC ANNOUNCES BOARD CHANGES Imperial Tobacco Group PLC today announces the appointment of Graham Blashill,currently Group Sales and Marketing Director, as a member of the PLC Board,effective from 28 October 2005. Mr Blashill, aged 58, joined Imperial Tobacco in 1968 and assumed responsibilityfor all of the Group's sales and marketing activities in February 2005. He hasbeen integral to the successful development and implementation of ImperialTobacco's strategy for many years and has held a number of senior sales andmarketing positions including Managing Director UK and Regional Director forWestern Europe. Imperial Tobacco Group PLC also announces that Simon Duffy and Sipko Huismanswill retire as Non-Executive Directors at the conclusion of the 2006 AGM havingeach served nine years on the Board. Iain Napier will become the recognisedsenior independent Non-Executive Director at such time in succession to AnthonyAlexander. They will both continue to be Joint Vice Chairmen. In addition Imperial Tobacco Group PLC announces that David Thursfield resignedas a Non-Executive Director with effect from 28 October 2005 due to hisincreasing level of external commitments. Derek Bonham, Chairman of Imperial Tobacco Group PLC commented: "I am delightedto welcome Graham to the Imperial Tobacco Board and I am sure he will contributesignificantly to the continued success and development of Imperial Tobacco as amajor force in the world tobacco industry. He has a wealth of experience inmanaging the growth of our brands and profits in the competitive and highlyregulated markets in which we operate. "I would also like to thank Simon and Sipko for their outstanding contributionto the Company since its demerger in 1996 and David for his contribution since2003 and I wish them all well for the future. We have been planning for thepotential retirements of Simon and Sipko and the appointments of Susan Murray inDecember 2004 and Colin Day in July 2005 have ensured that a smooth transitionhas taken place. "Over the coming months we will be seeking to appoint one or more additionalNon-Executive Directors to ensure that the Board and its committees continue toremain suitably balanced." Enquiries Alex Parsons Group Media Relations Manager Tel: +44 (0)117 933 7241Nicola Tate Investor Relations Manager Tel: +44 (0)117 933 7082John Nelson-Smith Investor Relations Manager Tel: +44 (0)117 933 7032 Copies of our announcements are available on our website:www.imperial-tobacco.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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