Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTY) has announced two appointments to its Board of Directors: firstly, a new Senior Independent Director and, secondly, a new Non-Executive Director. It also announces that Chris Browne has agreed to continue as a Non-Executive Director for up to one more year.
Senior Independent Director
Vistry Group PLC has announced that Rob Woodward will join the Board as the Senior Independent Director with effect from the close of the Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2024 (“AGM”). Rob has held leadership positions across both the public and private sectors. He has been Chair of the Met Office since 2018, a role he will relinquish later this year after two terms. His experience includes over 10 years as Chief Executive Officer of STV Group plc. He had previously been Commercial Director at Channel 4 Television, Managing Director with UBS Corporate Finance and lead partner for Deloitte’s Telecoms, Media & Technology Industry Group in Europe.
Rob is also currently Chair of Court at Glasgow Caledonian University and Chair of listed marketing analytics provider, Ebiquity plc. Until its recent delisting he was Chair of technology company Blancco plc.
As previously announced, Greg Fitzgerald will take up the new role of Executive Chair and CEO with effect from the close of the AGM. In his position as Senior Independent Director, Rob will have an enhanced role providing additional oversight on governance matters, as well as a high level of engagement with investors and other stakeholders. Further, Rob will become Chair of the Nomination Committee, leading on the recruitment of new Non-Executive Directors and, in conjunction with the Executive Chair and CEO, oversee the succession planning of executive management. He will also serve on the Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee.
Non-Executive Directors
The Board is also pleased to announce that Alice Woodwark will be appointed as a Non-Executive Director with effect from the close of the AGM. Alice has been Managing Director of Mitie Group plc’s Communities division since 2021. She started her career with management consultancy McKinsey, working extensively across the UK and US in the infrastructure, transport, hospitality and retail sectors. Alice joined Compass Group in 2013, serving as Group Head of Strategy and M&A and subsequently in Managing Director positions for Compass UK. Alice will serve from appointment as a member of the Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Audit Committee.
To ensure continuity on the Board and allow more time to recruit a second Non-Executive Director, Chris Browne has agreed to stay on as a Non-Executive Director for up to one more year, having served on the Board since September 2014. She will continue to serve on the Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Audit Committee. As a consequence, Chris will seek re-election as a Non-Executive Director at the AGM.
Ralph Findlay OBE, Vistry Group Chair commented “We are delighted to have recruited two new high calibre Directors to the Board, in particular putting in place a strong Senior Independent Director to bolster our Board governance. Rob and Alice’s respective experience in both the public and private sectors will be hugely valuable as we continue to execute the Group’s Partnership strategy. We will continue our search for a second Non-Executive Director and will update the market on our progress with this appointment in due course.”
