Appointment of Non-Executive Director
Board Restructuring to Meet Combined Code of Corporate Governance
Playtech Limited, (AIM:PTEC) the international software and content provider to the online and land-based gaming industry, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Barry Gibson as an additional independent Non-Executive Director.
Mr Gibson is an experienced non-executive director and has significant experience in the gaming industry, both as an executive and non-executive director. Until June 2009, he was Senior Independent Director at William Hill plc, where he served on their board for over seven years. Previously, he had been CEO of Littlewoods plc, which, at that time incorporated Littlewoods Pools and Bet Direct. He is also Chairman of Homeserve plc.
Concurrently, Playtech has restructured its Board of Directors (the "Board") and now meets the requirements, in terms of board composition and independence, of the Combined Code of Corporate Governance. Tom Hall, Non-Executive Director and former Chief Executive Officer, and Rafi Askhenazi, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, have resigned from the Board and will step down.
Mr Hall and Mr Askhenazi have served as Directors since Playtech's admission to the Alternative Investment Market in 2006.
Following these changes, the Board of Playtech will consist of:
| Roger Withers | (Non-Executive Chairman) |
| Mor Weizer | (CEO) |
| Shuki Barak | (Interim CFO) |
| Alan Jackson | (Non-Executive and SID) |
| Barry Gibson | (Non-Executive) |
Commenting on these changes Playtech's Chairman, Roger Withers, said:
"I am delighted to welcome Barry to the Board of Playtech. He brings considerable experience both of the gaming industry and of the public markets.
"At the same time my sincere thanks go to Tom Hall and Rafi Askhenazi who have made important contributions to Playtech's businesses in Asia and as COO respectively. I am pleased that each will continue to play a role for the company.
"This restructuring is an important step for Playtech. Importantly, we now meet the required standards of corporate governance, something we have always looked to achieve. While the Board is now Combined Code compliant, we expect to make further Board appointments in the coming months, including a replacement Chief Financial Officer, where an extensive search is well underway."
For further information contact:
| Roger Withers, Chairman Playtech Ltd Ross Hawley, Investor Relations, Playtech Ltd c/o Pelham Bell Pottinger | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7861 3232 |
| Piers Coombs / Bruce Garrow Collins Stewart | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 8350 |
| Mumtaz Naseem Deutsche Bank | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7545 8000 |
| David Rydell / Olly Scott / Samantha Boston Pelham Bell Pottinger | Tel. +44 (0) 20 7861 3232 |
Barry Gibson was non-executive director at William Hill plc from 2002-09, and most recently was senior non-executive director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. Mr Gibson is senior non-executive director at Homeserve plc, and formerly a non-executive director at National Express plc, Littlewoods plc and Somerfield plc
In accordance with Rule 17 and Paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules for Companies, further information in relation to the appointments is set below:
Name: John Michael Barry Gibson (Age 58)
Present directorships and/or partnerships:
Harding Brothers Retail Ltd
Harding Brothers Holdings Ltd
Homeserve Plc
SSP Group Ltd
Former directorships and/or partnerships (within the last five years):
National Express Group Plc
Retail Trust Ltd
Retail Trust Events Ltd
Retail Trust Services Ltd
Somerfield Ltd
Somerfield ESOP Trustee Ltd
The British Institute of Retailing
The Onboard Spa Company Ltd
William Hill Plc
At the date of his appointment as a director, Mr Gibson did not own any ordinary shares in Playtech.
No further disclosures are required under Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.
