GBG names new CEO

Chris Clark is a highly experienced, successful and well-regarded business leader who, since early 2012, has gained experience in similar markets to GBG as MD, UK, Ireland and EMEA of Experian.  Before this, he ran several large and small technology businesses varying from 30 to 3,000 people during his 20 years at BT. He joined BT from university and was identified early in his account management career as a rising star, benefitting from their excellent management and senior executive programmes. He has been based in Washington, Brussels, Amsterdam, New York and Dublin as well as the UK and has significant international experience. Business culture and staff engagement featured highly in his successful business leadership at BT, where he was in line to join the executive leadership team. The combination of his experience, drive and culture makes him an ideal fit for GBG’s next stages of growth.

David Rasche, Chairman of GBG, said:

"After a thorough and rigorous search process we are delighted that Chris Clark has agreed to join GBG as its CEO. Chris has very significant business experience and expertise in growing and improving international technology based businesses with an emphasis on partnering and customer relationships. He is a people and customer centred individual with a strong history of creating highly engaged teams, which ideally suits him to GBG’s very strong culture. He has excellent business experience and the drive to help us take GBG to the next level of growth and development. I am personally very pleased that we have been able to attract someone with his calibre, track record and further potential. I look forward to working with him and the Executive Team over the next few years to continue the exceptional growth of our business.”

Richard Law, Chief Executive of GBG, said;

"I am very proud of the progress and results that the exceptional GBG team has achieved during my time as CEO. I feel that our team has created the foundations for a very substantial international business and I am very pleased that Chris Clark is to join the business as my successor to take the Group to its next stage of growth and advancement.  I wish Chris, the Board and the GBG team my very best wishes for continued success."

Commenting on his new role, Chris Clark, added:

"GBG is a fantastic business. With its deep pool of talent, strong customer base, and robust balance sheet I am really excited about having the opportunity to work with the team and lead the Group into the next stage of its strategic development.”

As part of Chris’s remuneration, he will upon taking up his appointment ('Date of Grant') be issued with an option over 1,000,000 ordinary shares of 2.5 pence ('Ordinary Shares') in the capital of the Company (the 'Incentive Options').  The Incentive Options will be issued at the Date of Grant at an exercise price equal to the closing mid-market price of GBG’s shares on the day preceding the date of his appointment and will vest in equal tranches on the third, fourth and fifth anniversary from the Date of Grant. The Options are valid for a period of 10 years from the Date of Grant and will be performance related with EPS and earnings targets in line with the Company’s 2020 objectives and beyond.  In addition, he will also receive an option over 400,000 Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company as compensation for lost earnings and shares from his previous employer (the 'Compensatory Options'). The Compensatory Options will be issued at an exercise price of 2.5 pence per Ordinary Share, and will vest in equal tranches over a period of 12 and 24 months, on each anniversary of the Date of Grant provided he still holds the position of CEO of GBG on the respective dates. The Compensatory Options are valid for a period of 12 months from the vesting date.

In accordance with Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules, Christopher Graham Clark (aged 47) holds or has held in the past 5 years the following directorships and partnerships:

Current
Experian Limited
Experian Holdings Limited

Former
None

There is no further information required to be disclosed in respect of the above appointment pursuant to Schedule 2 (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

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