abrdn Asia Focus plc (the "Company")

Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 5493000FBZP1J92OQY70

20 October 2023

Directorate Update

Appointment of Lucy Macdonald and Davina Curling as Non Executive Directors

The Board of abrdn Asia Focus plc is pleased to announce the appointments of Ms Lucy Macdonald and Ms Davina Curling as independent non-executive Directors of the Company. Ms Macdonald will join the Board from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 5 December 2023 and Ms Curling will join the Board with effect from 1 March 2024. 

Krishna Shanmuganathan, Chair, commented:

"To further diversify the Board's composition and deepen the bench strength on the Board with future Board succession in mind I am very pleased to announce the appointments of Lucy Macdonald and Davina Curling.  Lucy has enjoyed a successful career in asset management and was, until 2020, managing director, CIO global equities at Allianz Global Investors. Lucy will bring significant investment experience to the Board. She is an experienced board director and is currently a member of the investment committee of the RNLI, a non executive council member of the Duchy of Lancaster and senior independent director of JPMorgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust Plc. 

Davina has also enjoyed a successful career in asset management and was formerly managing director, head of European equities at Russell Investments. More recently Davina has consulted on projects for small companies and start-ups in the financial, manufacturing and retail sectors.  Davina is a non executive director of Henderson Opportunities Trust plc, Blackrock Greater European Investment Trust plc and INVESCO Select Trust plc and is a member of the investment committee of St James's Place Wealth management.  In addition Davina has agreed to become Senior Independent Director upon joining the Board next year."

In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.13 (1):

Ms Macdonald is a director of the following publicly listed companies: JPMorgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust Plc and IBIS VCT 1 plc (in voluntary liquidation); and has not in the last five years retired from any publicly listed companies.

Ms Curling is a director of the following publicly listed companies: Henderson Opportunities Trust plc, INVESCO Select Trust plc and Blackrock Greater European Investment Trust plc; and has not in the last five years retired from any publicly listed companies.

Neither Ms Macdonald nor Ms Curling have any interests in any of the securities of the Company.

In relation to the appointment of Ms Macdonald and Ms Curling, there is no additional information required to be disclosed in accordance with Listing Rules 9.6.13 (2) - (6).

For further information, please contact:

Charles Mearns

abrdn Holdings Limited

Company Secretary

Tel. 0131 528 4132