REG - SSP Group PLC - Group CEO appointment

SSPAnnouncement

25/11/2021 16:05

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RNS Number : 6456T  SSP Group PLC  25 November 2021

 

LEI:213800QGNIWTXFMENJ24

 

25(th) November 2021

 

GROUP CEO APPOINTMENT

 

SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations
worldwide, today announces the appointment of Patrick Coveney to the role of
Group CEO, effective 31(st) March 2022. This follows the announcement on
14(th) July 2021 that Simon Smith is to leave the business in December.
Jonathan Davies, in his role as Deputy CEO and CFO, will lead the Group
Executive Committee and oversee day to day business prior to Patrick joining.

Patrick will join SSP from Greencore Group plc, a leading producer of
convenience foods in the UK and Ireland, which is a member of the FTSE 250.
Patrick has been the Group Chief Executive Officer of Greencore since 2008,
following more than two years as Chief Financial Officer. Under Patrick's
leadership, Greencore transformed into an international leader in value added
convenience food, most notably in food-to-go. He delivered a strong track
record of growth, combining organic and strategic expansion, forging deep,
long-term partnerships with Greencore's customers across the UK, US and
Europe. Patrick has also been instrumental in driving significant cultural
change, building capability, developing people, and embedding sustainability
into Greencore's strategy.

Prior to joining Greencore, he worked for nine years at McKinsey & Company
in Europe and North America, laterally as Managing Partner for Ireland.
Patrick serves as a non-executive director of Glanbia plc and Core Media.

Mike Clasper, Chair of the Board, said, "We are pleased to announce the
appointment of Patrick who will join us as we emerge from the pandemic with
considerable momentum.  Patrick is a strong and strategic leader, combining
this with proven financial and operational experience in some of the most
competitive categories in the food sector.  His customer and colleague focus
make him ideally placed to lead SSP to future success.  Patrick will be well
supported by Jonathan Davies, who together with the Executive Committee and
Board will ensure we complete a smooth transition."

"On behalf of the Board, I would also like to take the opportunity to thank
Simon for his significant contribution to the Group during his time at SSP".

Patrick Coveney said, "I am absolutely delighted to be appointed as SSP's next
Group CEO as it builds back from the pandemic. The business has a strong
Board, a highly experienced leadership team and thousands of dedicated
colleagues across the world. It also has a clear strategy, deep relationships
with client and brand partners, and a robust balance sheet. I look forward to
working with the teams to seize the many opportunities that lie ahead and to
delivering future growth and returns for SSP and its shareholders."

This announcement is made pursuant to LR 9.6.11 of the Listing Rules. The
Company confirms there is no further information to be disclosed under the
requirements of LR 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules in relation to Patrick
Coveney's appointment.

This announcement includes inside information as defined in Article 7 of the
Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (as it forms part of the laws of the
UK by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended).

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on
behalf of SSP Group is Helen Byrne, [Group General Counsel and Company
Secretary].

 

ENDS

 

CONTACTS:

Investor and analyst enquiries

 

Sarah John, Corporate Affairs Director, SSP Group plc

+44 (0) 203 714 5251

E-mail: sarah.john@ssp-intl.com

 

Media enquiries

 

Peter Ogden

Powerscourt

+44 (0) 207 250 1446

E-mail: ssp@powerscourt-group.com

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About SSP

SSP is a leading operator of food and beverage concessions in travel
locations, operating restaurants, bars, cafés, food courts, lounges and
convenience stores in airports, train stations, motorway service stations and
other leisure locations. Prior to the onset of Covid-19, we served around one
and a half million customers every day at approximately 180 airports and 300
rail stations in 36 countries around the world and operated more than 550
international, national and local brands.

www.foodtravelexperts.com (http://www.foodtravelexperts.com)

 

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