4 February 2025
Great
Portland Estates plc (the "Company" or "GPE")
GPE
appoints Non-Executive Chair Designate and Senior Independent
Director
GPE is pleased to announce the
appointment of William Eccleshare as a Non-Executive Director and
Chair Designate with effect from 1 May 2025. William will
succeed Richard Mully as Chair of the Board from the conclusion of
the Company's 2025 Annual General Meeting in July, when Richard
will retire from the Board after more than eight years of
service.
William's appointment follows a
comprehensive selection process led by GPE's Senior Independent
Director, Nick Hampton.
William has extensive leadership
experience in both executive and non-executive roles. He is
currently a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director
at Centaur Media plc and Chairman of Team ITG, a privately owned
digital media business. He is also Chair of the Design
Council - a Royal Charter charity and the UK Government's strategic
advisor on design. William was, until its recent acquisition,
a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director of Britvic
plc. He was previously a Non-Executive Director of Hays plc,
Deputy Chairman of Clear Media Limited and Executive Vice-Chair of
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.
William's executive career was spent
in advertising, media and consumer-focused businesses in senior
leadership and commercial roles. Most recently, he spent
thirteen years at Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. where he was
Chief Executive from 2012 to 2021 and led its listing on the New
York Stock Exchange in May 2019. William was Chair and Chief
Executive of BBDO Europe from 2005 to 2009 and of Young &
Rubicam EMEA from 2002 to 2005. He is a former partner
of McKinsey & Co where he led the firm's European Marketing
practice and prior to that he was CEO of advertising agencies
within WPP and the Interpublic Group.
Additionally, GPE announces that,
having joined the Board in October 2016, Nick Hampton will step
down from the Board and its Committees on 3 April 2025. Karen
Green, who joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in 2023,
will take over the role of Senior Independent Director from 4 April
2025.
Commenting on the appointments, GPE
Chair Richard Mully said:
"I am delighted that William has
been selected to succeed me as Chair. William brings
significant executive and non-executive experience. His
breadth of knowledge and skills, including his strong background in
marketing, business transformation, growth and innovation, will be
invaluable to GPE's Board. I know he will provide effective
leadership of the Board and great support to Toby Courtauld and our
management team, who welcome his appointment. It has been a
privilege to serve on GPE's Board for over eight years and I look
forward to working closely with William over the coming months to
ensure a smooth handover.
On behalf of the Board, I would also
like to thank Nick Hampton for his leadership of the Chair
succession process, his service as GPE's Senior Independent
Director and for his significant contribution to GPE since his
appointment in 2016. I am delighted that Karen has accepted
the Board's invitation to become Senior Independent
Director."
William Eccleshare said "I am excited
to be joining the GPE Board as its future Chair. With GPE's strong
positioning and quality portfolio and with management's strong
track record, I look forward to leading the Board and working with
the GPE team to drive the Company's strategy and take advantage of
market opportunities. I also look forward to benefiting from
Richard's wise counsel as I transition into the Chair
role."
William will join the Nomination
Committee from 1 May 2025 and assume the role of Chair of the
Nomination Committee from the conclusion of the Company's 2025
Annual General Meeting.
There are no additional matters that
would require disclosure under UK Listing Rule 6.4.8 R in respect
of William Eccleshare.
Contacts:
Great
Portland Estates plc
+44 (0)20 7647
3000
Richard Mully,
Chair
Toby Courtauld, Chief
Executive
FGS
Global
+44 (0)20 7251
3801
James
Murgatroyd
Gordon
Simpson
LEI Number:
213800JMEDD2Q4N1MC42
