LEI:213800QGNIWTXFMENJ24
25th 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 31st March 2022. This follows the announcement on 14th 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.
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