REG - Keywords Studios PLC - Directorate Change

Keywords StudiosAnnouncement

19/01/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 1924N  Keywords Studios PLC  19 January 2023

19 January 2023

 

Keywords Studios plc ("Keywords Studios", "Keywords", the "Group")

Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate

 

Keywords Studios, the international technical and creative services provider
to the global video games industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of
Donald (Don) Robert to its Board as independent Non-Executive Director and
Chair Designate, with effect from 1 February 2023. It is intended that Don
will become Chair at Keywords' Annual General Meeting on 26 May 2023 as part
of the planned succession for Ross Graham.

Don brings a strong track record of building and leading international
businesses, including through acquisitions, and a deep understanding of
technology, data and analytics. He was CEO of Experian plc, the global
information and analytics group, for 9 years, during which time he more than
doubled operating profits and scaled the business into a global market leader.
He subsequently became Chair of Experian between 2014-2019.

Don currently serves as Chair of the London Stock Exchange Group ("LSEG"),
where he has overseen the transformation of LSEG into a leading global
financial markets infrastructure business. He is also involved in several
private technology focused businesses.

Charlotta Ginman, Senior Independent Director of Keywords Studios commented:

"We are delighted to welcome someone of Don's calibre to the Board, and his
appointment as Chair Designate demonstrates our ambitions for the business.
Throughout our comprehensive search process Don stood out due to his
experience of growing global businesses, both organically and through
acquisitions, his deep knowledge of the technology landscape and his strong
leadership. His extensive experience will complement and enhance the skills of
the existing Board and leadership team as we look to capitalise on the unique
opportunities ahead of us in the video games industry and beyond.

Don's appointment will enable a smooth transition ahead of Ross' retirement
this year. On behalf of the Keywords' Board and wider management team, I would
like to thank Ross for the outstanding contribution he has made to Keywords
and his dedication in staying on to ensure a smooth CEO transition following
Bertrand's appointment. He has guided the Group successfully through a period
of extraordinary growth and value creation, helping to establish it as the
global market leader in providing services to the video games industry. We
wish him well for the future."

Don Robert commented:

"I am excited by the opportunity to join Keywords and play my role in
supporting its strong leadership team in realising their growth ambitions as
the Group looks to build on its current market leading position. I am
impressed by the  enviable technology-enabled platform they have built, which
has become a critical part of the fast-growing and dynamic video games market.
The Group has set out a clear strategy for future growth and I look forward to
contributing to this as it continues to scale its platform and cement its
position as the clear partner of choice across the interactive content
creation industry."

 

Other than the details listed below, there is no further information required
to be disclosed pursuant to paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules for
Companies, in relation to Don Robert's appointment to the board.

Don, aged 63, is or has been a director or partner of the following companies
or partnerships in the five years preceding his appointment to Keywords as
follows:

Current:

London Stock Exchange Group plc

Corten Capital

Validis UK Limited

Validis Group Holdings Limited

Flexcharge

 

Last 5 years:

London Stock Exchange plc

Court of Directors, Bank of England

Validis Holdings Limited

Compass Group plc

Albemarle Ship Investments LLP

Corten Management UK Limited

Experian plc

Experian Finance plc

Experian Holdings Limited

Experian Holdings Ireland Limited

Experian Holdings, Inc.

Achilles Holdco Limited

Achilles Group Ltd

First Advantage Corp

Education and Employers Taskforce

 

For further information, please contact:

 Keywords Studios                                +353 190 22 730

 Bertrand Bodson, Chief Executive Officer        investors@keywordsstudios.com

 Jon Hauck, Chief Financial Officer

 Giles Blackham, Investor Relations

 Numis Securities                                +44 20 7260 1000

 Stuart Skinner/Kevin Cruickshank/Will Baunton

 MHP Communications (Financial PR)               +44 20 3128 8794

 Katie Hunt/Eleni Menikou/Charles Hirst          keywords@mhpc.com (mailto:keywords@mhpc.com)

 

This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the market
abuse regulation (EU No. 596/2014) as it forms part of United Kingdom
domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK
MAR").

 

About Keywords Studios (www.keywordsstudios.com
(http://www.keywordsstudios.com/) )

Keywords Studios is an international technical and creative services provider
to the global video games industry. Established in 1998, and now with over 70
facilities in 26 countries strategically located in Asia, Australia, the
Americas, and Europe, it provides services across the entire content
development life cycle through its Create, Globalise and Engage service lines
to a blue-chip client base of over 950 clients across the globe.

Keywords Studios has a strong market position, providing services to 23 of the
top 25 most prominent games companies. Across the games and entertainment
industry, clients include Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Bethesda,
Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Konami, Microsoft, Netflix, Riot Games, Square
Enix, Supercell, TakeTwo, Tencent and Ubisoft. Recent titles worked on include
Anthem, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Valorant, League of Legends, Fortnite,
Clash Royale and Doom Eternal. Keywords Studios is listed on AIM, the London
Stock Exchange regulated market (KWS.L).

 

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