21 October 2022

Cake Box Holdings plc

("Cake Box" or the "Company" or the "Group")

Appointment of CFO

Cake Box, the specialist retailer of fresh cream cakes, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Botha as Chief Financial Officer.  Michael is working his notice with his current employer and will join Cake Box no later than 10 April 2023. 

Michael has worked in senior finance and commercial roles for a number of franchise businesses over the last 20 years. He is currently Chief Financial Officer for one of the largest franchise groups in the Domino's Pizza Franchise system in the UK and Ireland, a role he has held since 2016.

Prior to his current role, Michael spent over 12 years at Domino's Pizza Group plc as Commercial Director (2012 - 2016) and Group Financial Controller (2005 - 2012). He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1993 with PwC formerly Coopers & Lybrand. It is expected that Michael will also join the board of Cake Box as an executive director at the time of his appointment subject to completion of the customary directorate appointment regulatory due diligence.

David Forth who was appointed as Interim Chief Financial Officer on 14 March 2022 will leave the Group when his contract expires in November 2022. Martin Blair, Chairman of the Audit Committee will be overseeing the finance function until Michael Botha joins the Group. During this period, Adam Batty, Non-Executive Director, will temporarily assume Martin's responsibilities as Chairman of the Audit Committee. A further update on Michael's commencement date and proposed board appointment will be provided in due course.

Neil Sachdev, Non-Executive Chairman, said:

"We are delighted to have Michael joining the Cake Box Family to support our continued growth and future ambitions. He brings extensive experience in senior finance roles across a number of high profile franchise businesses, and has a strong track record of overseeing the implementation of internal systems and controls. Michael will further strengthen our Executive team through his experience in Franchisee run corporates and good internal governance.

Michael Botha commented:

"Cake Box has a strong financial position and brand with a highly attractive offering to customers, franchisees and shareholders. It has great growth prospects and I'm looking forward to joining the community of entrepreneurial franchisees and helping to make Cake Box a household name."

For further information, please contact: