31st May 2007 15:13
Sports Direct International Plc31 May 2007 Sports Direct International plc Board Change Appointment of Advisers Board Change David Richardson, the Chairman of Sports Direct International plc, has informedthe Board that he wishes to resign his position as both Chairman and Director ofthe Company. The Board has accepted his resignation and this will take effectfrom today. The Chairman believes that he has been unable to establish a strong workingrelationship with the Executive team and, as a result, believes that it would bein the best interests of the Company and the Board that he steps aside now thata complement of advisers has been appointed. The Company remains committed to strengthening further its Board as well asimproving the company's external relations with all its stakeholders and itsoverall corporate governance. Simon Bentley has agreed to become acting Chairman in the interim period until apermanent appointment is made. The appointment process has already been startedby the nominations committee. The Company is also in the process of recruitinga further Non-Executive Director to the Board. Appointment of Advisers The company is pleased to announce the appointment today of Merrill LynchInternational and Credit Suisse as joint brokers and Financial Dynamics asfinancial communications advisers. Dave Forsey, Chief Executive of Sports Direct International said: "We would liketo thank David for his role in the listing of Sports Direct and wish him all thebest in the future. In addition we would like to welcome our new set of advisersand, with their help, look forward to strengthened relations with the City andour shareholders." Further enquiries: Sports Direct International plc 0870 333 9400Dave Forsey, Chief ExecutiveBob Mellors, Group Financial Director FD 020 7831 3113Jonathon Brill/Ben Foster/Andrew Dowler Notes to Editors Simon Bentley (51) qualified as a chartered accountant in 1980 and in 1987 hejoined Blacks Leisure Group plc where he was Chairman and Chief Executive for 12years until 2002. Simon chairs and is on the board of a range of companies andorganisations. Among these, he is Deputy Chairman of the solicitors Mishcon deReya and a Senior Trustee at The Leadership Trust. He is the Chairman of hairproduct brand Umberto Giannini, the hotelier Maypole Group Plc and EsproAcoustiguide (the worldwide museum and commercial audioguide and producer/operator). He has lengthy experience of the sporting goods industry and is aDirector of the UK's leading five-a-side football centre operator, Powerleague. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Frasers Group