1st Sep 2005 10:00
easyJet PLC01 September 2005 1st September, 2005 APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE easyJet plc announced today that Andrew Harrison (48) has been selected as ChiefExecutive of the company, following the announcement on 16 May that Ray Websterwould be retiring. Andrew, who was previously the Chief Executive of RAC plcprior to its acquisition by Aviva plc earlier this year, will be taking up hisnew post on 1 December 2005. Andrew joined Lex Service plc in 1996 as Chief Executive and led itstransformation from a vehicle distribution company into RAC plc, astrongly-branded, consumer-facing services company with 6.5 million members.RAC plc delivered strong growth in a variety of consumer services, whichincluded BSM, financial and legal services, as well as good expansion inbusiness services, winning large contracts. The successful integration of Lexand RAC resulted in a strong rise in profits and a tripling of the share priceduring Andrew's tenure as Chief Executive. Since 2000 Andrew has been a Non-Executive Director at Emap, where he chairs theAudit Committee. Prior to Lex Service, Andrew was an Executive Director ofCourtaulds Textiles plc since 1990. Sir Colin Chandler, Chairman of easyJet, said: "I am very pleased that Andrew has agreed to join easyJet. This is thesuccessful conclusion of a rigorous search process conducted by a professionalsearch company which assessed candidates across a wide range of consumer-facingindustries. "We had a number of criteria that our new CEO had to meet; in particular, he orshe needed to have had senior management experience in a large and wellrecognised consumer-facing plc. In addition, Andrew has delivered strong top andbottom line growth, improved cash generation, introduced cost efficiencies andinspired employees in a service industry." Andrew Harrison said: "easyJet has an exciting future ahead, continuing to deliver rapid growth andfurther building upon its strong position in the rapidly expanding European lowcost airline market. I look forward to leading the easyJet team to make thishappen." There are no further disclosures required under paragraph 6.F.2 (b) to (g) ofthe Listing Rules. ENDS For further details please contact: easyJet plc Analysts:Andrew Barker, Investor Relations +44 (0) 1582 525 274 Press:Toby Nicol, Corporate Communications +44 (0) 1582 525 339 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
easyJet