Directorate Change

Directorate Change

HomeServe plc today announces that Jonathan King, Chief Executive Officer HomeServe Membership (its UK business) and an Executive Director, has decided to step down from the business after 13 years of service to pursue a non-executive career. Jonathan will leave the HomeServe Membership Board on 31 December 2013 and the HomeServe plc Board on 31 March 2014.   

Martin Bennett will be appointed Chief Executive Officer, HomeServe Membership from 1 January 2014. Martin joined HomeServe in 2003 and has been a member of the HomeServe plc Board since 2009. He was appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer in January 2012 following three years as Chief Financial Officer, and has previously held a number of roles across the Group's UK Membership business. Martin's existing responsibilities for Risk Management, Information Systems and Underwriting will transfer to Johnathan Ford, Group Chief Financial Officer on 1 January 2014.

Richard Harpin, Group Chief Executive, said:

"On behalf of my colleagues and the Board I would like to thank Jonathan King for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Group over the past 13 years, during which time he has played a significant part in the development of our businesses both in the UK and the USA. On a personal note, I would like to thank Jonathan for his continued support over the years and wish him all the very best for the future.

I am delighted that Martin Bennett will take over as CEO of the UK business. Martin is a key member of HomeServe's executive team and in his most recent role as Group Chief Operating Officer has worked closely with Jonathan to refocus our UK operations and improve customer service. I am confident that Martin will be able to build on this progress and continue the positive development of the UK business."

Jonathan King commented:

"I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of HomeServe over the past 13 years and working with the Board and my other colleagues during that time. I leave a customer focused organisation in the UK that has a clear plan in place to stabilise its customer base and increase both customer acquisition and retention this year. I am delighted that the Board has chosen Martin as my successor and I wish him every success in the future."

Notes:

Martin Bennett has been a member of the HomeServe plc Board since 2009.

He was appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer in January 2012 following three years as Chief Financial Officer. He previously held a number of other roles across the Group including Finance Director of the Group's UK Membership business, Finance Director of its Warranties business and Commercial Director.

Prior to joining HomeServe in 2003, he spent three years as Group Finance Director of Clarity Group and ten years at Arthur Andersen where he qualified as a chartered accountant.