06/06/2008
Changes to the Board of Directors
At the Annual General Meeting held today, Dignity plc announced the following changes to the composition of its Board of Directors.
After six years as Chairman, Richard Connell will stand down on 26 December 2008, the financial year-end of the Group and resign from the Board on the same date. He has guided the Group through two very successful periods of its history, firstly during its private equity ownership and more recently as a public company. The Board would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well with his numerous other business interests.
Peter Hindley, currently the Chief Executive, will be appointed as non-executive Chairman of the Group on the same date. Mike McCollum, currently the Finance Director of the Group, will succeed Peter Hindley as Chief Executive. An announcement with regard to the new Finance Director will be made in due course.
Peter Hindley (64) has a wealth of knowledge of, and is a prominent and influential figure in, the funeral industry. The Group is delighted to retain his experience. Mike McCollum (41) has been with the Group over 12 years, has a thorough understanding of the business and industry and together with Peter has been a driving force behind the Group's success for many years. The Board believes that this is the logical succession plan for the business, retaining both Peter and Mike's knowledge and experience, whilst achieving continuity and allowing the executive team to develop in the longer term.
The Group will appoint two further independent non-executive Directors by early 2009 such that there will be an equal number of independent non-executive Directors to executive Directors in addition to the newly appointed non-executive Chairman. This will broaden the experience and skills of the Board and, following the Group's recent promotion to the FTSE 250, meet the requirements of the Combined Code.
The Board has consulted widely with the Group's major shareholders, who have endorsed these changes.
Enquiries:
Richard Connell
Chairman
Tel: (0121) 354 1557
Richard Portman
Company Secretary
Tel: (0121) 354 1557