05 April 2022
Angling Direct plc
("Angling Direct" or "Company" or "Group")
Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director
Angling Direct plc (AIM: ANG), the leading omni-channel specialist fishing tackle and equipment retailer, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Keen as an Independent Non-Executive Director, effective immediately. Chris will also serve on the Company's Audit Committee.
Chris brings more than 20 years of experience in various Chief Financial Officer roles, with a focus on scaling up businesses operating both domestically and internationally and across a variety of sectors including retail and leisure.
Chris is currently CFO at McKesson UK, part of McKesson Corporation, a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care and healthcare information solutions. Between 2012 and 2019, Chris was CFO of Holland & Barrett, a leading health and wellness product retailer, where he oversaw a number of key acquisitions across Europe, driving the group's international growth strategy and expanding its omni-channel proposition.
Prior to joining Holland & Barrett, between 2006 and 2012, Chris was CFO at The Laurel Pub Company (latterly the Stonegate Pub Company), helping to build the business into the largest privately held managed pub operator in the UK with over 500 units. In 2012 Chris was appointed CFO of the Bramwell Pub Group to oversee the financial restructuring of the business.
Chris is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Martyn Page, Non-Executive Chairman of Angling Direct, commented:
"On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Chris to Angling Direct. His extensive financial and omni-channel leadership experience, particularly in the retail sector, will be invaluable as we strengthen our Board. We look forward to working with Chris as the Group looks to achieve further progress in 2022 and capitalise on the compelling growth opportunities that exist across our end markets."
Chris Keen, Non-Executive Director of Angling Direct, commented:
"I am extremely pleased to be joining the Board of Angling Direct. The Group is on an exciting growth trajectory, having recently opened its European distribution centre and I look forward to using my experience to contribute to its continued success."
For further information please contact:
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The following information regarding the appointment of Christian ('Chris') Keen, aged 57, is disclosed under Schedule 2(g) and Rule 17 of the AIM Rules for Companies:
As at the date of this announcement, Mr Keen owns 9,600 ordinary shares of one penny each in Angling Direct, representing 0.01% of the Company's issued share capital.
Current Directorships | Previous Directorships (within the last five years) |
2012 Dream Limited | A.C. Ferguson (Chemist) Limited |
28CVR Limited | AAH Furb Pension Trustee Limited |
30MC Limited | AAH Glass & Windows Limited |
A. Suthrell (Haulage) Limited | AAH Lloyds Pension Trustees Limited |
AAH Builders Supplies Limited | AAH Nominees Limited |
AAH Limited | Atlas Travel Clinic Limited |
AAH One Limited | Beaumonts Health Stores Limited |
AAH Pharmaceuticals Limited | Blackstaff Pharmaceuticals Limited |
AAH Twenty Four Limited | Caronet Trading Limited |
AAH Twenty Limited | Good 'N' Natural Limited |
AAH Twenty Six Limited | Health & Diet Centres Limited |
Acme Drug Co. Limited | Health & Diet Food Company Limited |
Added Marketing Limited | Holland & Barrett (Benelux) Limited |
Admenta Holdings Limited | Holland & Barrett Group Limited |
Admenta UK Limited | Holland & Barrett Holdings Limited |
Alchem (Southern) Limited | Holland & Barrett International Limited |
Ayrshire Pharmaceuticals Limited | Holland & Barrett Limited |
Baillieston Health Centre Pharmacy Limited | Holland & Barrett Retail Limited |
Bannister & Thatcher Limited | IPCC Limited |
Barclay Pharmaceuticals (Atherstone) Limited | L1R HB Finance Limited |
Barclay Pharmaceuticals Limited | L1R HB Holdings Limited |
Barley Chemists Holdings Limited | L1R HB Limited |
Barry Shooter (Romford) Limited | L1R HB Midco Limited |
Beauty Care Drug Stores Limited | L1R HB Midco Sub Limited |
Berkshire Medical Supplies Ltd. | Lifecycle 2018 Limited |
Betterlifehealthcare Limited | LP Clinical Homecare Group Limited |
Big Pharma Limited | M.H. Gill Limited |
Bridport Medical Centre Services Limited | Mount Pharmacy Limited |
Clark Munro Limited | Neal's Yard Wholefoods Limited |
Clark-Care Group Limited | Nutrition Warehouse Limited |
Cross and Herbert (Devon) Limited | Paul Wheeler Limited |
Cross and Herbert (Holdings) Limited | Precision Engineered Limited |
Cross and Herbert Limited | R. Gordon Drummond Limited |
Eclipse Healthcare Limited | Thurnby Rose Limited |
Escon (St. Neots) Limited | |
Evolution Homecare Services Limited | |
Expert Health Limited | |
Farillon Limited | |
Firth and Pilling Limited | |
Foster & Plumpton Group Limited | |
Foster & Plumpton Limited | |
G K Chemists Limited | |
G. K. Chemists (Glos). Limited | |
George Staples (Stoke) Limited | |
GPL 2007 Limited | |
Graeme Pharmacy (Stirling) Limited | |
Greens Pharmaceuticals (Holdings) Limited | |
H.H. Thatcher Limited | |
Health Needs Limited | |
Healthclass Limited | |
Herbert Ferryman Limited | |
Higgins & Son (Chemists) Limited | |
Hill-Smith (Warrington), Limited | |
Hywel Davies (Caerphilly) Limited | |
Independent Pharmacy Care Centres (2008) Limited | |
Inspiron Distribution Limited | |
J. Bradbury (Surgical) Limited | |
J.S.Dent Limited | |
John Bell & Croyden Limited | |
John Hamilton (Pharmaceuticals) Limited | |
Keen Consulting Limited | |
Kingswood Chemists Limited | |
Kingswood-GK Limited | |
Kyle and Carrick Holdings Limited | |
Levelcrown Limited | |
Linford Pharmacies Limited | |
Livingston Health Centre (P.D.) Co. Limited | |
Lloyds Chemists Limited | |
Lloyds Chemists Retail (Northern) Limited | |
Lloyds Chemists Retail Limited | |
Lloyds Group Properties Limited | |
Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare Limited | |
Lloyds Pharmacy Limited | |
Lloyds Properties Limited | |
Lloyds Retail Chemists Limited | |
LPL One Limited | |
M. Payne & Co. Limited | |
Masta Limited | |
Medical Advisory Services For Travellers Abroad Limited | |
Medimart Limited | |
Metabolic Healthcare Holdings Limited | |
Metabolic Healthcare Limited | |
Munro Pharmacy Limited | |
New Kirk Pharmacy Limited | |
Optimed Health Limited | |
Palemoda Limited | |
Peel Street Pharmacy Limited | |
Pharmagen Limited | |
Philip Goodman Limited | |
Pimelight Limited | |
Prescribing Support Services Ltd | |
Prima Brands Limited | |
R.F. Foskett & Son Limited | |
Sangers (Northern Ireland) Limited | |
Savory & Moore Limited | |
Scholes (Chemists) Limited | |
Statim Finance Limited | |
Superfield Limited | |
T. and I. White Limited | |
Uscita Limited | |
W. Jamieson (Chemists) Limited | |
W.H. Chanter Limited | |
W.H. Green (Chemists) Limited | |
Westclose Limited | |
Woodside Pharmacy (Glasgow) Limited | |
The table below shows information on The Laurel Pub Company Limited and certain of its affiliated entities, which all entered administration on 27 March 2008 while Chris Keen was a director:
Company | Date entered Creditors Voluntary Liquidation | Date dissolved | Deficit to creditors (£million) |
Forno Vivo Limited | 27 March 2009 | 3 October 2012 | 3.93 |
Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen Limited | 27 March 2009 | 30 September 2012 | 36.33 |
Laurel Pub Bidco Limited | 27 March 2009 | 29 August 2012 | 205.16 |
Santa Fe Group Limited | 27 March 2009 | 30 September 2012 | 1.76 |
Santa Fe Limited | 27 March 2009 | 30 September 2012 | 10.25 |
Target Pil Core Limited | 28 September 2009 | 27 July 2012 | 14.03 |
The High Street Bar & Restaurant Group Limited | 27 March 2009 | 3 October 2012 | 7.22 |
The Laurel Pub Company Limited | 28 September 2009 | 29 January 2013 | 95.02 |
Yates Brothers Limited | 27 March 2009 | 3 October 2012 | 13.93 |
Yates Group Limited | 28 September 2009 | 3 January 2013 | 83.65 |
Yates's Wine Lodges Limited | 28 September 2009 | 9 November 2012 | 24.44 |
Mr Keen was also a director of Laurel High Street Bars Limited, Laurel High Street Estate Pubs Limited, The Manor Leisure and Marketing Corporation Limited and Yates's Duty Free Limited (also affiliates of The Laurel Pub Company Limited) at the time that these companies entered administration in March 2008. These companies were subsequently moved from administration to dissolution in June 2009.
Mr Keen resigned as a director of Bramwell Pubs and Bars Limited in November 2012 which entered administration in October 2013, creditors voluntary liquidation on 7 May 2015 and was then dissolved on 9 May 2017. The deficit to creditors was £55.69 million.
Mr Keen resigned as a director of Bramwell Company Limited in November 2012 which entered administration in October 2013 and was then dissolved on 30 July 2014. The deficit to creditors was £48.95 million.
Save as set out above there are no further disclosures pursuant to Rule 17 or Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of the appointment of Mr Keen.
About Angling Direct
Angling Direct is the leading omni-channel specialist fishing tackle retailer in the UK. The Company sells fishing tackle products and related equipment through its network of retail stores, located strategically throughout the UK as well as through its leading digital platform (www.anglingdirect.co.uk .de, .fr and .nl) and other third-party websites.
Angling Direct is committed to supporting its active customer base and widening access to the angling community through its passionate colleagues, store-based qualified coaches, social media reach and ADTV YouTube channel. The Company currently sells over 20,000 fishing tackle products, including capital items, consumables, luggage and clothing. Angling Direct also owns and sells fishing tackle products under its own brand 'Advanta', which was formally launched in March 2016.
From 1986 to 2002, the Company's founders acquired interests in a number of small independent fishing tackle shops in Norfolk and, in 2002, they acquired a significant premise in Norwich, which was branded Angling Direct. Since 2002, the Company has continued to acquire or open new stores, taking the total number up to 42 retail stores. In 2015, the Company opened a 2,800 sq. metres central distribution centre in Rackheath, Norfolk, where the Company's head office is also located. In March 2022, Angling Direct opened a 3,940 square metre distribution centre in Venlo, Netherlands to service its established, and rapidly growing, presence in Europe with native language websites set up in key regions to address demand.
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