Watkin Jones plc Appointment of Chief Executive Officer (4998O)
May 18 2018 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMWJG
RNS Number : 4998O
Watkin Jones plc
18 May 2018
For immediate release 18 May 2018
Watkin Jones plc
('Watkin Jones' or the 'Group')
Appointment of Chief Executive Officer
Further to the announcement made on 15 January 2018, regarding
Mark Watkin Jones' decision to stand down from the Board as the
Group's Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Watkin Jones is
pleased to announce that following a comprehensive formal search
process, Richard Simpson has been appointed to succeed Mark Watkin
Jones as CEO. Richard will be joining Watkin Jones from Unite Group
plc ('Unite'), the FTSE250 manager and developer of purpose-built
student accommodation, where he was Group Property Director.
Richard will join the Board of Watkin Jones as CEO effective on 2
January 2019.
Outgoing Watkin Jones CEO, Mark Watkin Jones has re-iterated his
commitment to provide ongoing support to the Group as CEO for as
long as is needed, and upon Richard's formal start date, to work
with Mr Simpson during a transitional period to ensure an orderly
handover.
Richard Simpson, has significant experience in the student
accommodation market having joined Unite in 2005. During his time
at Unite, Mr Simpson held a number of senior roles and, in January
2012, was appointed to the main board as an Executive Director.
Richard's most recent role at Unite was as the Group's Property
Director, where Richard was responsible for all aspects of Unite's
property portfolio. Richard was also previously Chair of the
British Property Federation's cross-sector Student Accommodation
Committee from 2013-2015. He is currently Non-Executive Director of
CityWest Homes, a London based social housing company. Richard's
track record and experience in the sector will be invaluable to the
Group as it continues to grow and deliver shareholder returns.
Grenville Turner, Chairman of Watkin Jones plc, said: "The Board
is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Simpson as CEO.
We are pleased to be appointing a CEO with FTSE 250 Board
experience as well as a highly recognised industry figure with an
immense track record and credibility. He is well known to the
Watkin Jones Board having worked closely with the business on
several occasions. We look forward to a long and prosperous period
with Richard at the helm of what is a growing business."
Mark Watkin Jones, Chief Executive of Watkin Jones plc, said: "I
am extremely pleased that I will be handing over my CEO
responsibilities to such an experienced and recognised operator in
the sector. Richard's knowledge and first-hand experience of the
PBSA sector is significant for the Group. I will do what needs to
be done to ensure a smooth handover, and I will work closely with
Richard during the transition period. I strongly believe I am
handing over stewardship of Watkin Jones to the right candidate as
the Group enters the next phase of its growth."
Commenting on his appointment, Richard Simpson, said: "Watkin
Jones has a well earned reputation as one of the UK's leading
developers with an unrivalled focused expertise across PRS from
build to rent to student accommodation development and management.
I am excited by the prospect of working with the Board, senior
management and staff to build on the Group's strong foundations and
to lead the business in the continued execution of its
strategy."
AIM disclosures
Richard Charles Simpson, aged 42, currently holds or has held
the following directorships and partnerships in the last five
years:
Current directorships/partnerships Past directorships/partnerships
CityWest Homes Limited LDC (AIB Warehouse) Limited
LDC (Alscot Road) Limited
LDC (Brunel House) Limited
LDC (Capital Cities) Limited
LDC (Causewayend) Limited
LDC (Chaucer House) Limited
LDC (Constitution Street) Limited
LDC (Cowley) Limited
LDC (Far Gosford) Limited
LDC (Ferry Lane) Limited
LDC (Ferry Lane 2) Holdings Limited
LDC (Finance) Limited
LDC (Greetham Street) Limited
LDC (Hampton Street) Limited
LDC (Holdings) Limited
LDC (Imperial Wharf) Limited
LDC (International House) Limited
LDC (Loughborough) Limited
LDC (Millennium View) Limited
LDC (New Wakefield Street) Limited
LDC (Newgate) Limited
LDC (Old Hospital) Limited
LDC (Portfolio) Limited
LDC (Portfolio One) Limited
LDC (Portfolio Four) Limited
LDC (Portfolio 100) Limited
LDC (Radmarsh Road) Limited
LDC (River Street) Limited
LDC (Skelhorne) Limited
LDC (St Leonards) Limited
LDC (St Vincent's) Limited
LDC (Stratford) Holdings Limited
LDC (Swindon NHS) Limited
LDC (Tara House) Limited
LDC (Thurso Street) GP1 Limited
LDC (Thurso Street) GP2 Limited
LDC (Thurso Street) GP3 Limited
LDC (Thurso Street) GP4 Limited
LDC (Tower North) Limited
LDC (William Morris II) Limited
LSAV (GP) Limited
LSAV (Rent Collection) Limited
Unite Accommodation Management 2
Limited
Unite Accommodation Management 4
Limited
Unite Accommodation Management 17
Limited
Unite Accommodation Management One
Hundred Limited
Unite Construction (Stapleton) Limited
Unite Construction (Wembley) Limited
Unite Finance One (Accommodation
Services) Limited
Unite Finance One (Property) Limited
Unite Integrated Solutions plc
Unite Rent Collection Limited
The Unite Group plc
USAF GP No.14 Limited
USAF GP No.15 Limited
USAF GP No.18 Limited
USAF Holdings H Limited
USAF Holdings I Limited
USAF Holdings J Limited
USAF Management 14 Limited
USAF Management 18 Limited
USAF Management GP No. 14 Limited
USAF Management GP No. 15 Limited
USAF Management GP No. 16 Limited
USAF Management GP No. 17 Limited
USAF Nominee No. 14 Limited
USAF Nominee No. 14A Limited
USAF Nominee No. 18 Limited
USAF Nominee No. 18A Limited
--------------------------------------------
There is no other information that is required to be disclosed
pursuant to Schedule 2 paragraph (g) or Rule 17 of the AIM Rules
for Companies.
- Ends -
For further information:
Watkin Jones plc
Mark Watkin Jones, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0) 1248 362 516
Officer
Phil Byrom, Chief Financial Officer www.watkinjonesplc.com
Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Advisor & Joint Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7418
8900
Mike Bell / Justin Jones www.peelhunt.com
Jefferies Hoare Govett (Joint Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7029
8000
Max Jones / Will Soutar www.jefferies.com
Media enquiries:
Buchanan
Henry Harrison-Topham / Richard Oldworth Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Jamie Hooper / Catriona Flint
watkinjones@buchanan.uk.com www.buchanan.uk.com
Certain information contained within this announcement is deemed
by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under
the Market Abuse Regulation. Upon the publication of this
announcement via Regulatory Information Service, this inside
information is now considered to be in the public domain.
Notes to Editors
Watkin Jones is a leading UK developer and constructor of multi
occupancy property assets, with a focus on the student
accommodation and build to rent sectors. The Group has strong
relationships with institutional investors, and a reputation for
successful, on-time-delivery of high quality developments. Since
1999, Watkin Jones has delivered more than 34,500 student beds
across 107 sites. In addition, Fresh Property Group, the Group's
specialist accommodation management company, manages more than
16,000 student beds on behalf of its institutional clients. Watkin
Jones has also been responsible for over 50 residential
developments, ranging from starter homes to executive housing and
apartments. The Group is now expanding its development and
management operations into the build to rent sector.
The Group's competitive advantage lies in its experienced
management team and business model, which enables it to offer an
end-to-end solution for investors, delivered entirely in-house with
minimal reliance on third parties, across the entire life cycle of
an asset.
Watkin Jones was admitted to trading on AIM in March 2016 with
the ticker WJG.L. For additional information please visit:
www.watkinjonesplc.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
MSCLFFLLETIDLIT
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 18, 2018 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
Watkin Jones (LSE:WJG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Watkin Jones (LSE:WJG)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024