Supergroup : Appointment of CEO

SuperGroup Plc

("SuperGroup," "the Group" or "the Company")

Appointment of CEO

The Board of SuperGroup is pleased to announce the appointment of Euan Sutherland, currently a non-executive director of the Company, as Group Chief Executive with immediate effect. Julian Dunkerton, currently Group Chief Executive will move to the newly created role of Founder and Product and Brand Director.  

Euan has held senior positions in a number of leading retailers and has a wealth of experience in international and online expansion. He will be instrumental in delivering the growth plans of the Company and leading through the complexity that brings. Euan has gained an in-depth understanding of the business, its strategy and its culture during the two years he has been a non-executive director.

Euan's appointment will allow Julian, along with James Holder, to focus more fully on developing the Group's product ranges and enhancing and protecting the brand as it increases its global presence.

Peter Bamford, Chairman said:

"Euan's appointment marks another important step in the continued evolution of SuperGroup.  Euan has the stature, skills, experience and personal style to work in partnership with Julian and lead the team through the next stage of the Company's development."

Julian Dunkerton, founder said:

"With the number of opportunities SuperGroup has available and the increasing complexity of the business, now is the right time to bring in a CEO of Euan's calibre. Having worked with him on the Board for two years, I am certain our skills will be complementary and look forward to delivering the continued growth of the Superdry brand together."

Euan Sutherland said:

"SuperGroup is a great business with a strong brand and I am truly delighted to be taking on the challenge of delivering its growth potential. The business is at an exciting stage of its development and has numerous opportunities for growth. I admire what the business has achieved and am excited about being part of the team that will deliver the strategy.  Julian and I work well together and have a shared ambition to succeed with the global roll out of the Superdry brand."

Further to Euan Sutherland's appointment as a Director of the Company on 22 November 2012, the Company confirms there is no additional information required to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13.

22 October 2014

Notes to editors

Euan's background and CV

·      From November 2012 to 21 October 2014 Euan was an Independent Non-executive Director of SuperGroup.   He was a member of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees

·      Euan served previously as Group Chief Executive Officer for the Co-op Group from 2013 to 2014 where he successfully led the recapitalisation of the Co-op Bank and protected the long-term future of the Co-op Group

·      He was previously CEO of Kingfisher UK - B&Q, Screwfix and TradePoint - delivering significant growth in profits during the period 2008 - 2013 and leading the critical Group global sourcing programme across 32 countries. Whilst in this role he managed the creation of the multi-channel platform at Screwfix and a new multi-channel proposition for B&Q. He subsequently became Group Chief Operating Officer at Kingfisher where he led the international integration of the Group and had global responsibilities across the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Turkey and China

·      Prior to this, from 2004 to 2008, he was Chief Executive of AS Watson UK, owner of Superdrug, Savers and The Perfume Shop, where he was responsible for the turnaround of Superdrug and Savers and their resultant sales and profit growth.

·      Euan has over 20 years of leadership experience, having held senior positions at Mars, Coca-Cola, Dixons and Matalan, giving him an exceptionally strong and broad retail and brand background; ideal for the challenges and opportunities at Supergroup

Remuneration

·      Euan Sutherland joins the Executive Board as CEO with effect from 22 October 2014. The main elements of his remuneration package, which is consistent with the Directors Remuneration Policy, are as follows:

·      Salary: £675,000 p.a.

·      Annual bonus: 0 to 150% of salary earned in the performance year; up to 100% paid in cash with the remainder awarded via a restricted share plan over a vesting period of three years, subject to meeting certain conditions. The annual bonus is assessed based on a mix of financial, personal and/or strategic business objectives

·      Performance share plan (PSP) award on appointment equivalent to 3x annual salary, subject to performance and continued employment at the end of a three year performance and vesting period. Of the award 70% will be assessed on EPS performance and 30% on total shareholder return (TSR). To achieve the full award average EPS growth over the three year period would need to exceed RPI by at least 14.5% p.a. and TSR must be in the top quartile of its comparator group

·      Further annual awards of up to the equivalent of 2x annual salary, under similar performance conditions

·      The annual bonus and PSP awards are both subject to malus and clawback provisions