Appointment of Chair Designate

18 DECEMBER 2018

Ultra, the international defence, security, transport and energy group, announces the appointment of Tony Rice as Non-Executive Director from today and Chair from 28 January 2019. He will succeed Douglas Caster, who intends to step down as Chair and retire from the Board on 28 January 2019.

Tony is Chair of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC, the Senior Independent Director of Halma plc, and was formerly the Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chair of Spirit Pub Company plc. He is also a Non-Executive Director of the Whittington Hospital Trust. Earlier in his career, Tony was CEO of Cable & Wireless Communications plc, CEO of Tunstall plc and held a number of senior roles in BAE Systems plc. Tony has a BA in Business Studies from City of London College and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management.

Douglas Caster, Chair, commented: “I am very pleased that Tony is to succeed me as Chair of Ultra. His extensive experience in the international engineering and technology sectors, as a Non-Executive Director, and previously as an executive, will stand him in an excellent position to lead the Ultra Board through the next phase of the Group’s development. I have thoroughly enjoyed my career with Ultra and look forward to following its future progress.” 

Tony Rice, Chair Designate commented: “I am excited to be joining the Board of Ultra, and to be working with Simon, his team and the Board to build the business and deliver the potential of Ultra’s technology and product base for all Ultra’s stakeholders.”

Simon Pryce, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “I am delighted that Tony has agreed to join Ultra as its next Chair. He is an extremely experienced professional and has a strong business track record which will be of enormous benefit to Ultra. I look forward to working with him in the future. 

On behalf of the Board and staff of Ultra, I would like to thank Douglas for his long service to the Group and as a Board member since 1993. He has made a considerable contribution and commitment to the Group over the last thirty years and has helped develop it into an international defence and electronics company. While I have only worked with Douglas for a short time, I have valued his insight and support and I wish him the very best for the future.” There are no further disclosures on Tony Rice required to be made in accordance with LR 9.6.13R of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.

For further information contact:
Ultra Electronics Holdings plc
+44 (0) 20 8813 4300

Simon Pryce, Chief Executive Officer
Amitabh Sharma, Group Finance Director
Susan McErlain, Corporate Affairs Director
+44(0) 7836 522 722

MHP Communications
+44 (0) 20 3128 8756
Tim Rowntree/Ollie Hoare