5th Dec 2005 16:00
Vodafone Group Plc05 December 2005 5 December 2005 SIR JOHN BOND TO SUCCEED LORD MACLAURIN AS CHAIRMAN Vodafone Group Plc today announces that Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth, DL, theChairman of the Company, will be retiring from the Board at the Company's AGM inJuly 2006. He will be succeeded as Chairman by Sir John Bond, currently GroupChairman of HSBC Holdings Plc and a non-executive director of Vodafone. Sir Johnwill be retiring from HSBC in May 2006. Ian MacLaurin has had a distinguished business career and joined Vodafone as anon-executive director in 1997, becoming Chairman in July 1998. In his 9 yearswith the Company he has served twice as Chairman, as he stepped down on themerger with AirTouch Communications Inc in 1999, resuming his role a year later.He was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Tesco Plc and has heldnon-executive roles in a number of FTSE-100 companies. Outside the world ofbusiness he has been Chairman of the England & Wales Cricket Board and is nowChairman of the Sport Honours Committee. Upon his retirement from the Board, Lord MacLaurin will become an adviser to theCompany. He will also become Chairman of the Vodafone Group Foundation, anindependent charitable trust set up to administer charitable and other donationson behalf of the Company. Arun Sarin, Chief Executive of Vodafone, said: "Ian MacLaurin has made a huge contribution to the success of Vodafone. He hasbeen an outstanding Chairman and has overseen the transition of the businessfrom a UK operator to a major global company. In 1997 we had just 4 millioncustomers in 12 markets and now have over 170 million in 27 markets. Ian hasoverseen this transformation with great distinction. His deep customerexperience, his understanding of marketing and his commercial drive have beenvery significant influences in the development of the Company. I am very pleased that he has accepted our invitation to become an adviser and Iwill personally value his continuing links with Vodafone and the ambassadorialrole he will play." In a career spanning 44 years with HSBC Sir John Bond has worked in sixcountries in three continents. He was appointed Group Chief Executive in 1993and Group Chairman in 1998. Sir John, who is also a non-executive Director ofFord Motor Company, was Chairman of the Institute of International Finance,Washington DC for five years, and was on the Court of the Bank of England from2001 to 2004. Commenting on the appointment of Sir John Bond as his successor, Lord MacLaurinsaid: "I am delighted that John Bond will be succeeding me as Chairman of Vodafone. Heis an outstandingly successful international businessman and his track record atHSBC speaks for itself. Succession planning at Vodafone is a critical element inhow we run our business and after nine years on the Board I believe that this isthe right time for me to hand over." Sir John Bond commented: "It is an honour and a privilege to be invited by the Board of Vodafone tobecome its Chairman. I am looking forward greatly to this new challenge, tocontributing to another company with a remarkable record of success, and tobuilding on Ian MacLaurin's outstanding achievements." - ends - For further information: Vodafone Group Investor RelationsTel: +44 (0) 1635 664447 Media RelationsTel: +44 (0) 1635 664444 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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