REG - Focusrite PLC - Board Changes

FocusriteAnnouncement

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RNS Number : 8116U  Focusrite PLC  02 March 2026

Strictly embargoed: 07:00, 2 March 2026

 

Focusrite plc

 

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

 

Board Changes

Focusrite plc (AIM: TUNE) is pleased to announce that Ian Barkshire has been
appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate of the
Company with immediate effect.

Subject to shareholder approval, Ian will succeed Philip Dudderidge OBE, the
founder and current Chair, as Non-Executive Chair following the conclusion of
the Company's forthcoming Annual General Meeting, anticipated to be held in
July 2026.

As part of this planned transition, Philip Dudderidge will remain on the Board
as a Non-Executive Director working closely with Ian to ensure a smooth
transition of Board leadership. The Board believes Ian's appointment reflects
the Company's continued development and evolution as a global music and audio
group while retaining the benefit of Philip's extensive industry knowledge and
insights.

Ian was the CEO of Oxford Instruments plc between 2016 and 2023. He spent over
25 years at the business in a number of leadership positions including Chief
Operating Officer and Group Technical Director.

Ian brings significant commercial, leadership and public company experience
having spent most of his career driving the development, commercialisation and
delivery of innovative technologies and specialised products to the world's
leading industrial companies. During his tenure as CEO of Oxford Instruments
plc, Ian oversaw significant value creation, with an increase in the
business's market capitalisation of more than three times.

Earlier in his career, Ian was a Senior Principal Scientist at GEC-Marconi
Materials and a Research Fellow at the University of York. He is a Fellow of
the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Ian is currently a Non-Executive Director of Melrose Industries PLC. He is
also a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of the UK National Quantum
Technologies Programme and Chair of Illumion Limited, a University of
Cambridge start-up company.

It is intended that Ian will join the Audit, Nominations and Remuneration
Committees following his appointment as a director.

The Company also confirms that David Bezem, Senior Independent Director and
Chair of the Nomination Committee, has advised the Board that he will not be
standing for re-election at the forthcoming AGM. The Board thanks David for
his valuable contribution and service during his tenure since the Company's
IPO in December 2014.

Philip Dudderidge OBE, Founder and Chair of Focusrite plc, said:

"Focusrite has reached an important stage in its evolution, and I am delighted
that Ian has agreed to join our Board as Chair Designate. His experience
leading a world class listed technology-driven international business makes
him ideally suited to guiding the Board through the next phase of the Group's
development. I'm delighted to be remaining as a Non-Executive Director and
look forward to supporting Ian and continuing to contribute to Focusrite's
future."

"I would also like to thank David personally for his support, insight and
commitment during his time on the Board. He has made a substantial
contribution to Focusrite's development, and we wish him every success for the
future."

Ian Barkshire, Chair Designate, added:

"I'm delighted to be joining the Board of Focusrite plc. The Focusrite Group
sits at the heart of the Content Creation and Audio Reproduction industries,
with leading brands, a track record of strong product innovation and a
passionate global customer base.  I look forward to working with my fellow
Board members, the executive team and all stakeholders to build on the strong
foundations already in place.  I'm extremely excited by the future prospects
of the Focusrite Group and by the opportunity to help deliver long term growth
and shareholder value."

AIM Rule 17 - Schedule Two (g) disclosures

The following information is disclosed in accordance with Schedule Two
paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies:

Current directorships:

·      Melrose Industries PLC

·      Illumion Limited

·      IRB Advisory Limited

Previous directorships held within the last five years:

·      Oxford Instruments PLC

·      Oxford Instruments Overseas Holdings
Limited

·      Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Holdings
Limited

·      Oxford Instruments Holdings Europe
Limited

·      Oxford Instruments Uk 2013
Limited

·      Oxford Instruments Overseas Holdings 2008
Limited

·      Oxford Instruments Industrial Products Holdings
Limited

·      Oxford Instruments Overseas Marketing
Limited

·      Andor Technology
Limited

·      Oxford Instruments AFM Limited
 

·      Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Limited

·      Andor Technology Inc

·      Oxford Instruments America, Inc.

Ian Richard Barkshire (60) does not hold any ordinary shares in the Company.

There is no further information required to be disclosed pursuant to Schedule
Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules.

- ends -

 Enquiries:
 Focusrite plc                                           +44 (0) 1494 462246
 Tim Carroll (CEO) / Sally McKone (CFO)
 Investec Bank plc (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)  +44 (0) 20 7597 5970
 David Flin / Nick Prowting / James Smith
 Rosewood (Financial PR)                                  +44 (0) 20 7653 8702
 John West / Llewellyn Angus / Lily Pearce

Notes to Editors

Focusrite plc is a global audio products group that develops and markets
proprietary hardware and software products. Used by audio professionals and
musicians, its solutions facilitate the high-quality production of recorded
and live sound. The Focusrite Group trades under thirteen established brands:
Focusrite, Focusrite Pro, Novation, Ampify, ADAM Audio, Martin Audio, Optimal
Audio, Linea Research Sequential, Oberheim, Sonnox, OutBoard and TiMax.

With a high-quality reputation and a rich heritage spanning decades, its
brands are category leaders in the music-making and audio recording
industries. Focusrite and Focusrite Pro offer audio interfaces and other
products for recording musicians, producers and professional audio facilities.
Novation and Ampify products are used in the creation of electronic music,
from synthesizers and grooveboxes to industry-shaping controllers and
inspirational music-making apps. ADAM Audio studio monitors have earned a
worldwide reputation based on technological innovation in the field of studio
loudspeaker technology.  Martin Audio designs and manufactures
performance-ready systems across the spectrum of sound reinforcement
applications. Linea designs, develops, manufactures and sells market
innovative professional audio equipment globally. Sequential designs and
manufactures high end analogue synthesizers under the Sequential and Oberheim
brands. Sonnox is a leading designer of innovative, high-quality,
award-winning audio processing software plug-ins for professional audio
engineers. TiMax specialises in innovative immersive audio and show control
technologies. OutBoard manufactures and sells industry standard rigging
control products for live events, together with enterprise-level safety test,
preparation and quality management for global rental companies and venues.

The Company has offices in four continents and a global customer base with a
distribution network covering approximately 240 territories.

Focusrite plc is traded on the AIM market, London Stock Exchange.

 

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