Gusbourne Plc (AIM: GUS), the premium English sparkling wine producer, today announces the following Board changes, with immediate effect, to support the Company's ongoing growth and execution of its strategy.
Katharine Berry, who was appointed as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") in August 2022, has been formally appointed to the Company's board of directors ("Board").
Gusbourne's founder, Andrew Weeber, is retiring and stepping down as a Non-Executive Director. Andrew was responsible for planting the first vines at Gusbourne after purchasing the estate in 2003. Upon admission to AIM in 2013, he served as Non-Executive Chairman until 2020 and has remained a valued Board member ever since.
Paul Bentham is also retiring as a Non-Executive Director but remains a significant shareholder and expects to continue to support the business for the longer term. Paul joined the Board in 2013 and has played an important role in supporting Gusbourne's growth during his tenure.
Finally, Guardian of the Vines, Jon Pollard, is stepping down from the Board but will continue in his executive role as Chief Operating Officer (COO), as the business enters its next stage of expansion with significant new vineyard plantings planned in 2024.
Jim Ormonde, Gusbourne's Chairman, commented:
"Today's announcement is reflective of the depth and quality we now have within our executive leadership team. Gusbourne has achieved a lot under the support and guidance of the Board and with strong foundations in place, now is the right time to operate with a smaller, more focused Board.
"Andrew and Paul will continue to champion Gusbourne as valued ambassadors and we are enormously grateful to both of them for the time and knowledge they've given during their respective tenures. As COO, Jon remains central to our business operations and will focus on his responsibilities as Guardian of the Vines as we enter a period of significant expansion and associated new vine plantings over coming years.
"We are also delighted to welcome Kathy to the Board as CFO and look forward to her contribution as the Company continues to execute its long-term ambitious business plan, cementing its position as one of the UK's most significant fine wine producers at the top of the dynamic English wine sector."
Schedule 2(g) disclosures
Katharine Denise Berry (aged 46), whose previous surname is Clark, currently holds no other directorships nor has held any other directorships in the previous 5 years. Mrs Berry does not own any shares in the Company and has confirmed there is no further information to be disclosed pursuant to paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules.
For further information contact:
Enquiries:
Gusbourne Plc
Charlie Holland
+44 (0)12 3375 8666
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (Nomad and Sole Broker)
Hugh Rich / James Sinclair-Ford / Lauren Riley
+44 (0)20 7886 2500
Media:
Houston
Kate Hoare / Ben Robinson / India Spencer
gusbourne@houston.co.uk
+44 (0)20 4529 0549
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as amended by regulation 11 of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/310. With the publication of this announcement, this information is now considered to be in the public domain.