National Express Group PLC, a leading international transport provider, is pleased to announce that following a comprehensive selection process, it has appointed Helen Weir as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate. Helen will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 1 October 2022 and will succeed Sir John Armitt, CBE, as the Company's Chair on 1 January 2023, when Sir John will stand down from the Board after almost ten years in the role.  

Helen is currently a Supervisory Board Member of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. and holds Non-Executive Director roles at Greencore Group plc and Superdry plc. Helen had a lengthy executive career as a CFO of a number of listed companies and most recently served as the CFO of Marks & Spencer plc between 2015 and 2018. She also previously served as a Non-Executive Director of Just Eat plc, SABMiller plc, Royal Mail Holdings plc and Cineworld Group plc.

Sir John Armitt commented:

"It has been a tremendous privilege to work with my many talented colleagues at National Express over the past decade during which time the Company has become a leader in the sector. With a deep understanding of the customer and technology from her executive and non-executive experience and her extensive financial expertise, Helen is ideally positioned for the role. I have every confidence that National Express will continue to go from strength to strength and capitalise on the exciting growth opportunities it has across its markets."   

Helen Weir commented: 

"I am delighted to be joining National Express at such an important time for the business. The Company has a clear strategy rooted in a purpose to encourage the important modal shift away from private vehicles into public transport. I am greatly looking forward to working with Ignacio and his executive team to build on everything National Express has achieved to date and to create further value for all of its stakeholders through the execution of the Evolve strategy." 

Ignacio Garat, Chief Executive Officer of National Express, commented:

"Helen is joining National Express as Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate at a very exciting time. Our business has strong momentum and an attractive pipeline of growth opportunities. The skills that Helen brings to the Board will help us sustain that momentum in pursuit of those growth opportunities. On behalf of the Company, I welcome Helen to the Board.

"I would also like to take this early opportunity, on behalf of the Board, to thank Sir John for the outstanding contribution he has made at National Express. We are extremely grateful for his leadership and we wish him all the very best for the future."

Notes

Helen Weir is an experienced Non-Executive Director. She is currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV, Senior Independent Director of Superdry plc and a Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair of Greencore Group plc. She previously served on the Boards of Just Eat plc, SABMiller plc, Royal Mail Holdings plc and Cineworld Group plc. She has recently stepped down from her roles as a Trustee of Marie Curie and an Independent Non-Executive Director of the RFU. 

Helen is a former CFO of Marks & Spencer, having previously held positions as Group Finance Director at John Lewis Partnership and Lloyds Banking Group where she was also CEO of the retail bank. She has enjoyed successful and varied roles in leading businesses such as Kingfisher, B&Q and McKinsey and Co. Helen is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. She was awarded a CBE for services to Finance in 2008.

Helen's Chair fees, which are in line with the approved Directors' Remuneration Policy, will be confirmed once appointed as Non-executive Chair and fully disclosed in the 2022 Directors Remuneration Report.