Next Group Plc Unsp/Adr (NXGPY) Q4 2024 Earnings Call

Investor webinar replay

Replay transcript excerpt

Well, good morning and welcome to the next annual report, annual presentation. Just a few comments before I turn it over to Simon. With respect to the board, we've had several departures and we're going to have several arrivals on the board. Just wanted to comment on those. First, after many years in the group, Amanda is stepping down. Amanda joined the company back in 1995, joined the board in 2012 as finance director, and after 12 years on the board, will be departing in July. Amanda's made a huge contribution, not only to the board, but to the company over all these years, and she will be sadly missed. Second, Diane Thompson, non-executive director. After nine years on the board, will be stepping down. I want to thank Diane for her great service during her time on the board. In terms of new board members, we have two NEDs that will be standing for election in May. First, Venetia Butterfield. Venetia is the managing director at Cornerstone, which is a publishing company. And second, Amy Sterling, who is the CFO at Hargraves Lansdowne. Both of those NEDs will be standing for election in May. And finally, as an executive director, Jonathan Blanchard will be joining the board in July when Amanda steps down, and he'll be put for election next year in May. Jonathan has been the chief operational officer and CFO at Reese, and we know him well, and we feel he'll be a great, great addition to Next. So those are the changes. The board, the work will be seamless. We'll continue to support the direction of the group. And we look forward to just a new board with some new additions, but will continue to function very, very well. So Simon, over to you. Good morning, everybody. Welcome. I think the first thing to say is that it's been at least seven, if not more, years since we'v...