RNS Number : 7209W
Digital 9 Infrastructure PLC
14 December 2023
 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE UK'S MARKET ABUSE REGULATION. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, SUCH INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

 

14 December 2023

 

DIGITAL 9 INFRASTRUCTURE PLC

 

("D9" or the "Company" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group")

 

Directorate Changes and Board Composition

 

The Board of Directors of Digital 9 Infrastructure plc (the "Board") is pleased to announce the appointments of Mr. Richard Boléat and Mr. Brett Miller as Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Company.

 

The appointments conclude the independent recruitment process for independent directors with complementary skillsets and experience to support the Board in progressing the Company's Strategic Review (the "Strategic Review"), initiated on 27 November 2023.

 

Richard is a seasoned corporate governance and investment management professional and has held several investment company directorships. Brett has wide ranging closed end fund and investment trust/investment company experience both as an investor and in managing or serving on boards of closed ended funds.

 

Richard and Brett's appointments are subject to the approval of the Jersey Financial Services Commission ("JFSC") which is expected in due course.

 

Board Composition

 

Following an assessment of the skills and experience that may be required for the Company to progress the Strategic Review, the Board also announces that Phil Jordan and Lisa Harrington have decided to step down from their respective roles as Independent Chair and Senior Independent Director of the Company with immediate effect. As a result, the Board has reviewed its composition and has made the following changes:

 

·    Ms. Charlotte Valeur is appointed Interim Independent Chair and will remain as Independent Chair of the Risk Committee.

 

·  Ms. Gailina Liew is appointed Senior Independent Director and Independent Chair of the Nomination Committee.

 

·  Mr. Keith Mansfield and Mr. Aaron Le Cornu remain Independent Chairs of the Audit and Management Engagement Committees, respectively.

 

·  Mr. Richard Boléat is appointed member of the Audit, Risk and Management Engagement Committees, following JSFC approval.

 

·    Mr. Brett Miller is appointed member of the Nomination and Management Engagement Committees, following JFSC approval.

 

 

With Richard and Brett's additional oversight, and with the support of its financial and legal advisers, the Board intends to provide an update on the Strategic Review in early 2024. The Company's investment manager, Triple Point Investment Management LLP, has informed the Board that the sale of Verne Global is on track to complete by the end of Q1 2024.

 

The Board intends to appoint a permanent Independent Chair by the time of the Company's next Annual General Meeting ("AGM") in May 2024. All Independent Non-Executive Directors will also be subject to customary shareholder approval at the Company's AGM.

 

Charlotte Valeur, Interim Independent Chair, said: "We are pleased to welcome Richard and Brett to the Board. Both bring considerable investment company and corporate finance experience as complementary expertise to the Board, which will support us in progressing the Company's Strategic Review. On the Board's behalf, I would like to thank Lisa for her contribution and commitment to Digital 9 and Phil for his invaluable leadership of the Board during a critical period for the Company and its shareholders. As a Board, we remain committed to completing the sale of Verne Global and expediting the Strategic Review to further maximise shareholder value."

 

About Mr. Richard Boléat

 

Richard is currently Non-Executive Chairman of CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Limited and is Independent Director of M&G Credit Income Investment Trust Plc and Third Point Investors Limited. In respect of FCA Listing Rule 9.6.13(1), Richard's previous directorships in the last five years include Aseana Properties Limited, Yatra Capital Limited, and SME Credit Realisation Fund Limited. Richard currently holds 65,000 shares in the Company as of 13 December 2023.

 

About Mr. Brett Miller

 

Brett is currently Director of Manchester and London Investment Trust Plc and SLF Realisation Fund Limited. He has been involved (as executive and non-executive director) in the management of numerous LSE and AIM listed closed end funds across a wide range of asset classes. In respect of FCA Listing Rule 9.6.13(1), Brett's previous directorships in the last five years include The Local Shopping REIT Plc and HWSI Realisation Fund Limited. Brett currently holds 200,000 shares in the Company as of 13 December 2023.

 

There are no other details requiring disclosure under FCA Listing Rule 9.6.13 in relation to Richard Boléat and Brett Miller.

 

ENDS.

 

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY, PLEASE CONTACT:

 

 

J.P. Morgan Cazenove (Joint Corporate Broker)

William Simmonds

Jérémie Birnbaum

 

+44 (0)20 7742 4000

Peel Hunt (Joint Corporate Broker)

Luke Simpson

Huw Jeremy

+44 (0) 20 7418 8900

 

FTI Consulting (Communications Adviser)

Mitch Barltrop

Maxime Lopes

dgi9@fticonsulting.com

+44 (0) 7807 296 032

+44 (0) 7890 896 777

The person responsible for making this notification is Helen Richardson, Company Secretary.

 

LEI: 213800OQLX64UNS38U92

 

About Digital 9 Infrastructure plc:

·    Aqua Comms

·    Arqiva, the only UK national terrestrial television and radio broadcasting network in the United Kingdom - providing data, network and communications services, as well as a national IoT connectivity platform;

·    Elio Networks (previously Host Ireland) a leading enterprise broadband provider that owns and operates Fixed Wireless Access networks;

·    EMIC-1, a partnership with Meta on a 10,000km fibre system from Europe to India;

·    SeaEdge UK1

 

For more information on the Investment Manager please visit www.triplepoint.co.uk. For more information, please visit www.d9infrastructure.com.

 

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