REG - Watkin Jones plc - Change of Auditor

Watkin JonesAnnouncement

21/07/2021 07:00

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RNS Number : 8966F  Watkin Jones plc  21 July 2021

 For immediate release  21 July 2021

 

Watkin Jones plc

 

('Watkin Jones', the 'Company' or the 'Group')

 

Change of Auditor

 

Watkin Jones plc (AIM:WJG), has, as previously announced, undertaken a
selection process to appoint a new audit firm, as part of its adherence to
best practice on corporate governance and in view of the long tenure of Ernst
& Young LLP ('EY') as the Group's auditor.

 

The Board has now completed this process, which involved consideration of
proposals from three audit firms, including one non-Big Four firm.  Following
a recommendation by the Audit Committee, the Board has selected Deloitte LLP
('Deloitte') to be the Company's new auditor and they will be appointed
immediately following the signing of the Company's financial statements for
the year ending 30 September 2021.  In the meantime, Deloitte will shadow EY
through the audit process for our current year-end.

 

A resolution for the appointment of Deloitte as auditor will be included in
the 2022 Notice of Annual General Meeting.

 

The Board wishes to express its appreciation of the high standard of auditing
that EY has provided to Watkin Jones over the last 24 years.

 

- Ends -

 

For further information:

 Watkin Jones plc
 Richard Simpson, Chief Executive Officer  Tel: +44 (0) 20 3617 4453
 Philip Byrom, Chief Financial Officer     www.watkinjonesplc.com (http://www.watkinjonesplc.com)

 Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Corporate Broker)                  Tel: +44 (0) 20 7418 8900
 Mike Bell / Ed Allsopp                                                      www.peelhunt.com (http://www.peelhunt.com)

 Jefferies Hoare Govett (Joint Corporate Broker)                             Tel: +44 (0) 20 7029 8000
 Max Jones / Will Soutar                                                     www.jefferies.com (http://www.jefferies.com)

 

Media enquiries:

 Buchanan
 Henry Harrison-Topham / Richard Oldworth

 Jamie Hooper / Steph Watson               Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
 watkinjones@buchanan.uk.com               www.buchanan.uk.com

 

 

Notes to Editors

Watkin Jones is the UK's leading developer and manager of residential for
rent, with a focus on the build to rent and student accommodation sectors.
The Group has strong relationships with institutional investors, and a
reputation for successful, on-time-delivery of high quality developments.
Since 1999, Watkin Jones has delivered 43,000 student beds across 130 sites,
making it a key player and leader in the UK purpose-built student
accommodation market.  In addition, Fresh, the Group's specialist
accommodation management business, manages over 20,000 student beds and build
to rent apartments on behalf of its institutional clients.  Watkin Jones has
also been responsible for over 80 residential developments, ranging from
starter homes to executive housing and apartments.  The Group is increasingly
expanding its operations into the build to rent sector and is piloting an
opportunity to re-focus its residential house building operation as a
developer of affordable homes.

 

The Group's competitive advantage lies in its experienced management team and
business model, which enables it to offer an end-to-end solution for
investors, delivered entirely in-house with minimal reliance on third parties,
across the entire life cycle of an asset.

 

Watkin Jones was admitted to trading on AIM in March 2016 with the ticker
WJG.L.  For additional information please visit www.watkinjonesplc.com
(http://www.watkinjonesplc.com)

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