16th Dec 2005 14:00
Wolseley PLC16 December 2005 Wolseley plc Board change - appointment of Frank Roach as Chief Executive North America Wolseley plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing andheating products and a leading supplier of building materials to professionalcontractors, announces that Mr Frank Roach has today been appointed as aDirector of the Company. Mr Roach will be responsible for the Group's NorthAmerican operations with immediate effect and in succession to Chip Hornsby, whowill succeed Charlie Banks as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 August2006. Frank Roach, aged 54, is an American citizen. He joined Ferguson, Wolseley's USplumbing and heating business, in 1976. During his time with Ferguson heundertook a number of operational roles, including branch manager in Richmond,Virginia and vice president of the US mid-Atlantic region. In 2005 he wasappointed as senior vice president of the recently created Wolseley NorthAmerica management team with responsibility for North American business groups.In this role he has played a key part in further developing and expanding theGroup's North American businesses including plumbing, waterworks and HVAC(heating, ventilation and air conditioning). Charlie Banks, Chief Executive Officer of Wolseley said "I am delighted withFrank's appointment. Frank has made a significant impact on Ferguson's and, morerecently, the Group's, success in North America over the past 30 years and I amsure he will bring all of that experience to bear in his new role." John Whybrow, Chairman of Wolseley said "I am delighted that we are able to makeanother senior appointment from within the organisation and I look forward toFrank's contribution to the deliberations of our Board. This appointment is anintegral step in Chip Hornsby's succession as Chief Executive Officer of theGroup and will, from early in the New Year, allow Chip the opportunity to spendmore time in Europe gaining a deeper understanding of our businesses and, in duecourse, our investor relations activities." There are no matters relating to Mr Roach which would require disclosure underListing Rule 9.6.13. Further information: Wolseley plc 0118 929 8700 Guy StainerHead of Investor Relations Penny StudholmeDirector of Corporate Communications Mark WhiteGroup Company Secretary & Counsel Brunswick Andrew Fenwick 020 7404 5959 Notes to Editors Wolseley plc is the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing andheating products and a leading supplier of building materials to professionalcontractors in North America, the UK and Continental Europe. Group sales for theyear ended 31 July 2005 were approximately £11.3 billion and operating profit,before goodwill, was £721 million. Wolseley has around 60,000 employeesoperating in 14 countries namely: UK, USA, France, Canada, Ireland, Italy, TheNetherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Belgium, Luxembourgand Denmark. Wolseley is listed on the London and New York Stock Exchanges(LSE: WOS.L, NYSE: WOS) and is in the FTSE 100 index of listed companies. - ENDS - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Ferguson