18th Jan 2006 07:15
DSG International PLC18 January 2006 Embargoed until 7.00am, 18 January, 2006 DSG INTERNATIONAL PLC SENIOR MANAGEMENT CHANGES DSG international plc, Europe's leading specialist electrical retailer, todayannounces the following senior management changes: David Longbottom, executive board member and Group Human Resources Director, hascommunicated to the Board his intention to retire from the Group on March 31,2006. Sir John Collins, chairman, said: "I would like to thank David Longbottom forhis 19 years of loyal and exemplary service for the Group and in particular hissubstantial contribution during his tenure as Board director. David leaves thecompany with our best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement." The Board does not intend to make a further Board appointment at this stage. The following senior management appointments are also announced: Per Bjorgas is appointed Group Managing Director of the newly-combined UK andInternational Electricals Division. The intention to create this new ElectricalRetailing Division was announced by the Group two years ago. The restructuringand strengthening of operations in the UK and mainland Europe now enable theconsolidation into one electricals division. Nick Wilkinson is appointed Group Managing Director of the newly-created NewBusinesses Division. In addition to business development, Nick Wilkinson willassume responsibility for Group IT, including strategy development. Simon Turner is appointed Group Sourcing Strategy Director. In this role he willlead the task of leveraging the Group's growing international scale in itsbuying operations. He will also take responsibility for Group-widenon-merchandise purchasing and DSGi Sourcing. The current Group Computing and Communications Division is split into twodivisions: Group Computing Division and Group Communications Division. Thefollowing management changes take place: Kevin O'Byrne retains his responsibilities as executive Board member and GroupFinance Director and takes additional operational responsibility for the GroupComputing Division, comprising PC World, PC City and PC World Business. Herelinquishes his responsibilities for Group IT and non-merchandise purchasing. Keith Jones is promoted to Managing Director of PC World Stores Group assumeresponsibility for the international PC City operations in addition to PC WorldUK. He reports to Kevin O'Byrne. Nick Wood becomes Divisional Managing Director of the Group CommunicationsDivision, comprising The Link stores and Genesis Communications and will reportto John Clare, Group Chief Executive. Ben Bengougam is appointed Group Human Resources Director. All appointments are effective immediately. John Clare, chief executive, said: "I am pleased to announce these significantappointments, underpinning our commitment to improving our efficiency,developing our brands, leveraging our scale and expanding our operations. Theseimportant changes demonstrate the strength and experience of our seniormanagement team and position us well for further profitable growth. I would alsolike to thank David Longbottom for his counsel and support over a long andsuccessful career with the Group and wish him well for his retirement." Ends More information:Hamish ThompsonDirector of media relations01727 203195 / 07702 684290 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
DXNS.L