27 October 2011
Mitchells & Butlers plc
Board Appointments
The Board of Mitchells & Butlers is pleased to announce that Bob Ivell will take on the role of Executive Chairman of the Company with immediate effect. Bob has nearly 40 years experience within the food and beverage sector with a particular focus on food-led, managed restaurants and pubs. He has had extensive Board experience in a number of leisure sector businesses including Whitbread, S&N and The Restaurant Group.
Jeremy Blood has stepped down as Interim Chief Executive and Director of the Company having played an important role in driving forward the strategy of the business. Bob Ivell is leading the search for a new Chief Executive and will take on these executive duties until an appointment is made. Jeremy will remain with the business for a short period to ensure an effective handover.
The Board is pleased to announce that Doug Evans, General Counsel & Company Secretary, has been appointed to the Board. Doug has substantial corporate and commercial experience in a variety of sectors.
Following these changes the Board comprises:
Bob Ivell (Executive Chairman)
Tim Jones (Finance Director)
Doug Evans (General Counsel & Company Secretary)
Ron Robson (Deputy Chairman and Piedmont Inc. representative)
Douglas McMahon (Piedmont Inc. representative)
The Company will also strengthen the Board with the appointment of additional non-executive directors.
Bob Ivell, Chairman, commented: "I am delighted to take on the role of Executive Chairman within this industry leading business. My immediate key tasks are to recruit a permanent, high quality CEO, strengthen the Board further with additional non-executive directors and ensure the implementation of our strategy for the benefit of shareholders.
"I would like to welcome Doug to the Board. Doug has already had an important impact on the business and has a key role in developing the Company going forwards.
"The Board and I would like to thank Jeremy for his contribution to the business since he joined the Board in January 2010 and in particular for the leadership he has provided over the last seven months whilst assuming the role of Interim Chief Executive. We wish him well in his future pursuits."
Jeremy Blood commented: "This is a good time for me to step down from the Board enabling me to resume my other business interests. I would like to thank the management and staff of Mitchells & Butlers for their support during my period as Interim Chief Executive and I wish the business well for the future."
Mitchells & Butlers will release its Final Results on Tuesday 22 November.
The Company confirms that there is noinformation about Doug Evans requiring disclosure under paragraph 9.6.13 (1) to (6) of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.
For further information, please contact:
Erik Castenskiold | 0121 498 6513 |
James Leviton (Finsbury Group) | 020 7251 3801 |
Notes for editors:
Mitchells & Butlers' leading portfolio of brands includes Harvester, Toby Carvery, Vintage Inns, Premium Country Dining Group, Crown Carveries, Sizzling Pubs, Browns, Miller & Carter, Metro Professionals, All Bar One, Nicholson's, O'Neill's and Ember Inns. Further details are available on www.mbplc.com and supporting photography can be downloaded at www.mbplc.com/imagelibrary.
Bob Ivell has nearly 40 years of extensive food and beverage experience with a particular focus on food-led, managed restaurants and pubs. He is currently Senior Independent Director of Britvic plc and Chairman of David Lloyd Leisure Limited. He was previously a main board director of S&N plc in the role of Chairman and Managing Director of the Scottish & Newcastle restaurant and pubs division. He has also been Chairman of Regent Inns, Chairman of Park Resorts, Chairman of Next Generation Clubs, Managing Director of Beefeater Restaurants (one of Whitbread's pub restaurant brands) and a Director of The Restaurant Group.
Doug Evans is General Counsel & Company Secretary and has been a member of the Executive Committee since he joined Mitchells & Butlers in January 2011. He was previously at Royal Mail where he was Group General Counsel. Prior to that, Doug held Company Secretary & Corporate Legal Director positions at Exel plc, Ocean Group plc and Engen Limited.