10th May 2005 07:00
Menzies(John) PLC10 May 2005 10 May 2005 John Menzies plc Appointment of new Managing Director for Distribution Division John Menzies plc announces the appointment of Ellis Watson as the new ManagingDirector of Menzies Distribution. He will join Distribution in September,succeeding Iain Callaghan on his retirement after 40 years' successful service. Ellis (38) is currently Managing Director, National Newspapers at Trinity Mirrorplc. He joined Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) as General Manager in 2003. In May2004 Ellis was promoted to run two operating businesses (MGN and Scottish DailyRecord & Sunday Mail) with five national newspapers (Daily Mirror, SundayMirror, The People, Daily Record and Sunday Mail), employing some 2,700 people. Prior to joining Trinity Mirror, Ellis was Managing Director of CeladorInternational. His media career began with nine years at News International,where latterly he was Marketing Director with overall responsibility for thesales and marketing of the world's biggest daily and Sunday newspapers, The Sunand the News of the World. Ellis is currently the Chairman of the Newspaper Publishers Association, thetrade body for daily national newspapers. John Menzies' Chairman, William Thomson, said: "We are delighted to appoint Ellis, who is well respected in the industry, tothis important position for John Menzies. He brings a breadth of industryexperience to Menzies Distribution and a wealth of skills and talents to oursenior leadership team." Ellis Watson said: "I am very excited about joining John Menzies in this role. MenziesDistribution is a leader in UK newspaper and magazine distribution, and is apioneer in services to publishers and retailers. It has a strong managementteam and a robust position in its sector. I am looking forward to theopportunity to build on its solid base." ENDS Contact: Investor Relations, John Menzies plc 0131 459 8013 Ginny Pulbrook/Ged Brumby, Citigate Dewe Rogerson 020 7638 9571 For a full biography or photography, please contact Citigate Dewe Rogerson NOTES TO EDITORS 1. John Menzies plc, the time-critical logistics company, is one of Scotland's largest companies. The company has two operating divisions, Menzies Distribution and Menzies Aviation. These divisions operate in two distinct sectors where success depends on providing an efficient, high quality, time-critical service to their customers and partners. 2. In the year ended 25 December 2004, Menzies reported turnover of £1,330.6m (2003 - £1299.1m) and Group profit on ordinary activities before tax and exceptionals of £30.3m (2003 - £17.1m). Turnover at the Distribution division was £1,109.4m (2003 - £1,058.0m) whilst pre-exceptional operating profit was £30.6m (2003 - £26.2m). In the Aviation division turnover was £259.8m (2003 - £239.7m) and pre-exceptional operating profit was £10.4m against £2.4m in 2003. 3. The company was established in 1833 and its head office is in Edinburgh, Scotland. Today the company is an international operation with offices, partners and contracts located in Europe, North and South America, Australasia and Africa. 4. Menzies Distribution is a leading provider of added value distribution and marketing services to the newspaper and magazine supply chain in the UK. The division handles over 3,000 magazine titles and 4 million newspapers each day (5 million on Sundays) which are delivered to more than 21,200 customers. 5. Menzies Aviation is one of the world's major independent suppliers of ground handling services to the aviation market providing passenger, ramp and cargo services for many of the world's leading airlines and some of the busiest international airports. The division employs over 9,300 people across the globe, at 92 airports in 23 countries servicing in excess of 500 aviation customers. 6. Further information on John Menzies plc can be found at: www.johnmenziesplc.com; www.menziesdistribution.com; and www.menziesaviation.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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