REG - Everplay Group plc - Board and Trading Update

EverplayAnnouncement

16/05/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 9200I  Everplay Group plc  16 May 2025

This announcement contains inside information for the purpose of the
assimilated Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of the law
of the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018,
as amended.

 

16 May 2025

everplay group plc

("everplay", the "Group" or the "Company")

Board and Trading Update

·    Steve Bell to step down as Chief Executive Officer, to be replaced by
Frank Sagnier as interim Executive Chair, with immediate effect

·    Penny Judd appointed Senior Independent Director with immediate
effect

·    Trading for the year ended 31 December 2025 ("FY 2025") remains in
line with market expectations

everplay group plc, a leading global independent ("indie") games developer and
publisher of premium video games, working simulation games and children's
edutainment apps, today announces a Board update and reaffirms that FY 2025
trading remains in line with market expectations as detailed in its full year
results announcement of 26 March 2025.

Board Update

The Board and Steve Bell have mutually agreed that he will step down from the
Board and his position as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") with immediate
effect, and Frank Sagnier, currently Non-Executive Chair of the Board, will be
appointed as interim Executive Chair. The Board will commence a recruitment
process to appoint a new CEO in due course.

Frank has nearly thirty years of gaming sector experience, having held public,
private equity and senior roles with Codemasters, Electronic Arts, Acclaim
Entertainment, and Funcom. Frank will ensure the continued execution of the
Group's strategic plan, supporting the existing executive team and divisional
leaders, enabling the Board to have adequate time to recruit the suitable
candidate.

To maintain everplay's high standards of corporate governance and the Board's
oversight of ongoing strategy execution, Penny Judd, Non-Executive Director,
will become the Senior Independent Director in addition to remaining Chair of
the Audit Committee. Penny has over 30 years' experience in Compliance,
Regulation, Corporate Finance and Audit and has been a Board member of
everplay since its IPO in 2018.

The Board will provide updates on the CEO recruitment process as and when
appropriate.

Current Trading

As part of the FY 2024 unaudited results announcement on 26 March 2025, the
Board confirmed that it expected to deliver an improved trading performance in
FY 2025, marginally ahead of then current market expectations, alongside
declaring a proposed maiden dividend. The Board is pleased to reiterate that
trading remains in line with these subsequently upgraded expectations and
continues to be well positioned for growth over the medium to long term.

everplay expects to issue a H1 2025 trading update in early-July.

Frank Sagnier, Interim Executive Chair of everplay group plc, said:

"On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Steve for both his commitment
and support over the past two years, in particular rebranding the business
and supporting the reset of our strategic focus. The Board and everplay team
wish him every success in his future endeavours.

"As interim Executive Chair, I look forward to working with the broader
leadership team as the business continues to execute on its strategic
priorities: to accelerate growth alongside improving profitability, with an
elevated focus on first-party IP, our evergreen franchises and improved
returns. I am also grateful to the Board for their continued support and
counsel and would like to personally thank Debbie for her ongoing commitment
to everplay and industry insight as a Board director."

 

Enquiries:

 everplay group plc                                                           ir@everplaygroupplc (mailto:ir@everplaygroupplc.com) .

                                                                            (mailto:ir@everplaygroupplc.com) com (mailto:ir@everplaygroupplc.com)
 Frank Sagnier, Interim Executive Chair

 Rashid Varachia, Group Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

 James Targett, Group Investor Relations Director

 Peel Hunt (Nominated Advisor and Joint Corporate Broker)                     +44 (0)20 7418 8900

 Neil Patel / Benjamin Cryer / Kate Bannatyne

 Jefferies International Limited (Joint Corporate Broker)                     +44 (0)20 7029 8000

 Philip Noblet / Will Brown

 Vigo Consulting (Financial Public Relations)                                 +44 (0)20 7390 0233

 Jeremy Garcia / Fiona Hetherington / Anna Stacey

 everplay@vigoconsulting.com (mailto:everplay@vigoconsulting.com)

 

About everplay group plc

everplay group plc is an award winning and leading global indie games label
developer and publisher of premium video games and apps, comprising three
distinct divisions: Team17, astragon and StoryToys. Team17 is a games
developer, publisher and creative partner for indie developers around the
world, known for iconic IP such as Hell Let Loose, Worms and Overcooked!.
astragon is a leading games publisher, developer and distributor of
sophisticated working simulation games, including Construction Simulator and
Police Simulator, targeting a broad audience from young enthusiasts to
technical experts and casual gamers. Story Toys is a world-class developer and
publisher of educational entertainment apps, bringing the world's most popular
characters, worlds and stories to life for children under the age of eight,
with apps including Disney Colouring World and LEGO® DUPLO® PEPPA PIG.

Visit www.everplaygroupplc.com (http://www.everplaygroupplc.com/)  for more
information or follow us on LinkedIn: everplay group plc
(http://www.linkedin.com/company/everplay-group-plc) .

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