Group Press Releases
Aegis Appoints Robert Lerwill As New Chief Executive
07 February 2005
Aegis Group plc, the media communications and market research group, announced today the appointment of Robert Lerwill (53) as Chief Executive, with immediate effect. Robert is currently a non-executive director of Aegis and joined the Group’s board in 2000. He replaces Doug Flynn who will be leaving Aegis in late March.
From 1986-96, Robert was the Group Finance Director of WPP Group plc. He subsequently joined Cable & Wireless, where he served in both a financial and operational capacity as Group Finance Director and then as Chief Executive of the £1.5 billion turnover Cable & Wireless Regional division. He has recently been appointed as a non-executive director of British American Tobacco PLC.
Doug Flynn has been Chief Executive of Aegis since 1999 and been instrumental in developing the management teams within the Group and expanding the Company in its two core areas of advertising and market research. He is leaving to join Rentokil Initial PLC as Chief Executive.
Aegis continues to make good progress, in line with its pre close trading update in December.
Commenting on the appointment, Colin Sharman, Chairman of Aegis said:
“Robert has extensive experience of the media world, both internationally and in the UK – key credentials to his appointment. Importantly, as a long-standing non-executive of Aegis, he also knows the business and its management well, ensuring continuity and further development of the Company and its growth programme. Aegis is in a strong position to develop and Robert will bring further momentum to this.
“Doug has developed the management team at Aegis, extended our reach in both advertising and market research, and built the business internationally. We wish him well in his new role outside the media sector. There will be a suitable handover period, which will ensure stability within the business.”
For further information contact:
Lord Colin Sharman
Chairman, Aegis Group plc
+44 (0) 20 7070 7700
Tim Spratt / Charles Palmer
Financial Dynamics
+44 (0) 20 7831 3113
