Released: 17/06/2010
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Game Group PLC
17 June 2010
17 June 2010
The GAME Group plc: Appointment of Chief Executive
GAME Group plc ("GAME") today announces the appointment of Ian Shepherd (41) as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") with effect
from 28 June 2010. Chris Bell, who has performed the role of Interim CEO since 21st April 2010 pending the appointment of a
new CEO, will then resume his role as the Group's senior non executive director.
Ian is an expert in the management and development of customer relationships, with 16 years' experience in consumer
technology and entertainment brands. He spent the past four years at Vodafone plc, latterly as its UK Consumer Director,
leading the company's largest division with over £3bn in revenue. His responsibilities included the Vodafone UK retail
chain with 400 stores, and 2,000 staff, the product and brand marketing teams, as well as online sales and the specialist
mobile internet team.
Before joining Vodafone, Ian spent nine years at BSkyB, including five as Customer Marketing Director and two as Managing
Director of Sky Interactive. He launched a succession of new products including new games, interactive services, technology
platforms and websites, and oversaw Sky's customer base management during a period in which it delivered exceptionally low
customer churn.
Peter Lewis, Chairman, said:
"I am delighted that Ian has accepted the role of Chief Executive. He is a young, dynamic CEO with very strong consumer
expertise and good knowledge of the pc and video games market. The strength of our business lies with our brands, customer
relationship management, and supplier partnerships. Ian has a proven track record in each of these areas. The Board is
confident that he has the talent and energy to develop our customer proposition further and to drive the business forward.
"On behalf of the Board I would also like to thank Chris Bell for stepping in to the interim CEO role during the
recruitment process."
Ian Shepherd, Chief Executive Officer, said:
"I am very pleased to be joining GAME Group. I want to build and strengthen the Group's relationship with our millions of
customers and develop our customer offering further to deliver long-term growth. Video gaming is a creative, dynamic and
fast evolving business. As European market leader, GAME is in a strong position to deliver the best experience for all
video games customers, working closely with our partners in the industry."
Enquiries:
Brunswick GAME Group plc
Jonathan Glass Peter Lewis, Chairman
Wendel Verbeek Chris Bell, Interim CEO
Oliver Hughes Ben White, Group FD
Simon Soffe, Group IR Director
+44 (0) 20 7404 5959 +44 (0) 1256 784162
Notes to Editors
Biographical details for Ian Shepherd:
Ian Shepherd (41) has spent two decades studying and understanding consumers, in particular people and families who are
bringing new technology into their lives.
After graduating with an Economics degree from Cambridge in 1990, Ian joined the LEK partnership, a UK based management
consultancy. He then joined Cable & Wireless where he held a variety of commercial roles.
In 1997 Ian joined BSkyB, initially as Distribution Strategy Director, then Customer Marketing Director, and finally
Managing Director of Sky Interactive, the world's largest interactive television business. During his nine years at Sky he
launched a succession of new products including new games, interactive services, technology platforms and websites, and was
responsible for managing the business's customer base, delivering historically low churn rates through an award winning
customer marketing programme.
Ian spent the past four years at Vodafone plc, latterly as its UK Consumer Director. He sat on the Board of the UK
subsidiary and led the consumer division, the largest part of the business with over £3bn in revenue. His responsibilities
included the Vodafone UK retail chain with 400 stores and 2000 staff, and the product and brand marketing teams as well as
online sales and the specialist mobile internet team. He has also held a number of other senior positions at the company
including roles as Director of Commercial Operations, and Strategy and Business Development Director.
Ian is married with one son and one daughter. He has been a keen gamer for over 30 years, from the earliest home computers
through to his current obsession with Modern Warfare 2. He is also in the process of completing his pilot's licence.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange