26 October 2020

H&T Group plc

John Nichols will retire as chief executive officer of H&T Group plc on 31 December 2020 after nearly 24 years' service.  Nichols will remain as a consultant to the company for six months thereafter.  He will be succeeded as CEO by Chris Gillespie on 1 January 2021, who has recently joined the H&T board.

Peter McNamara, H&T chairman, said

"John executed a management buyout of the firm in September 2004 and was instrumental in its subsequent successful flotation onto the AIM market.  At the time of the flotation we had 69 branches, and now we are at 252 branches which is a testament to John's drive and effort.  We have over that time become the leading pawnbroker in the UK under his leadership. 

"Much of what the business has achieved has been as a result of John's close understanding of the business, his belief in the longevity and resilience of our core business activity as well as his working relationships with the branch colleagues.  Together their contribution has been key to the success of H&T where others in the sector have often not prospered.

"On behalf of the board and everyone at H&T, I offer John our congratulations upon his retirement.  We wish him a long, healthy and doubtless very active retirement."

Peter McNamara

Chairman

H&T Plc

- ENDS -

For further information, please contact:

H&T GROUP PLC

Tel: 020 8225 2797

Peter McNamara, Chairman

Numis Securities (Broker and Nominated Adviser) 

Tel: 020 7260 1000

Luke Bordewich - Nominated Adviser

Henry Slater

Haggie Partners (Public Relations) 

Tel: 020 7562 4444

H&T@haggie.co.uk

Damian Beeley

Vivian Lai