REG - Lion Finance Grp PLC - Executive Management Changes

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RNS Number : 0359P  Lion Finance Group PLC  15 January 2026

London, 15 January 2026

Executive Management Changes

 

Lion Finance Group PLC (the "Company" or the "Group") announces updates within
the Executive Management team of the Group and its Georgian banking
subsidiary, JSC Bank of Georgia (the "Bank").

Sulkhan Gvalia, acting as the Group and Bank of Georgia's Chief Financial
Officer ("CFO"), has decided to step down from the executive role from March
2026 to transition to a new stage in his life, following a 20-year tenure with
the Group. He will remain a non-executive member on the supervisory boards of
the Group's various subsidiaries, including Ameriabank, the Group's banking
subsidiary in Armenia.

Sulkhan will be succeeded by Giorgi Shagidze, who will be appointed Group CFO,
responsible for Group finance and international growth, and Deputy CEO, Chief
Financial Officer of Bank of Georgia (subject to regulatory approval). Giorgi
joins from his recent role as CEO of maib, Moldova's largest bank. Since 2021,
he has led a bank-wide agile and digital transformation, strengthening digital
capabilities, embedding a customer-centric culture, and delivering strong and
consistent financial performance, alongside strong growth in market share and
digital engagement. This comprehensive transformation significantly enhanced
the bank's institutional strength and long-term value. Giorgi's broad banking
experience includes serving as Deputy CEO and CFO of TBC Bank Group, where he
played a key role in the Group's IPO and the early stages of its expansion
into Uzbekistan, as well as previously working as a Global Operations
Executive at Barclays PLC. He holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge,
is a CFA charterholder, and is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program at
Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Furthermore, Giorgi Gureshidze, who has successfully led Bank of Georgia's
Mass Retail Banking direction since March 2025, has been promoted to the
position of Deputy CEO, subject to regulatory approval.

Archil Gachechiladze, Group and Bank of Georgia CEO, commented: "I would like
to thank Sulkhan for his dedicated service and invaluable contributions to our
success. He has been a pivotal member of the executive team, successfully
leading our finance function and helping to build our business and culture. I
am delighted that he will remain with the Group in a non-executive role.

I am also very pleased to welcome Giorgi Shagidze to the team. His successful
tenure as CEO at Maib provides him with deep experience in leading ambitious
digital transformations and developing customer-focused banking. Giorgi's new
role will concentrate on enhancing the finance function and pursuing
international growth opportunities. I believe his insights, leadership
qualities, and knowledge of the broad region will enrich the whole team.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Giorgi Gureshidze on his well-deserved
promotion. Under his leadership, Bank of Georgia's mass retail business has
consistently delivered strong results and grown from strength to strength. I
wish him success in his new position."

Name of authorised official of issuer responsible for making notification:
Nini Arshakuni, Head of Investor Relations

About Lion Finance Group PLC

Lion Finance Group PLC (LSE: BGEO LN) is a FTSE 250 holding company whose main
subsidiaries provide banking and financial services focused in the high-growth
Georgian and Armenian markets through leading, customer-centric, universal
banks - Bank of Georgia in Georgia and Ameriabank in Armenia. By building on
our competitive strengths, we are committed to driving business growth,
sustaining high profitability, and generating strong returns, while creating
opportunities for our stakeholders and making a positive contribution in the
communities where we operate.

Legal Entity Identifier: 213800XKDG12NQG8VC53

For further information, please visit www.lionfinancegroup.uk
(https://lionfinancegroup.uk/) or contact:

 

 Sam Goodacre                                Nini Arshakuni
 Adviser to the CEO                          Head of Investor Relations
 +44 203 178 4034                            +44 203 178 4034
 sgoodacre@lfg.uk (mailto:sgoodacre@lfg.uk)  ir@lfg.uk

 

 

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