23 August 2022

Saga further strengthens leadership in support of growth plan

Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director, confirmation of Chief Data Officer and new Chair of Cruise Board

Saga, the UK specialist in products and services for people over 50, today announces three senior appointments to support the Group's growth strategy and positioning as the superbrand for older people in the UK.

Anand Aithal will join the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 1 September 2022. Anand has extensive non-executive experience from fintech, insurance broking, asset management and accountancy. He also brings an entrepreneurial perspective, having co-founded his own data analytics business. Prior to this, he was a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs. Additionally, Anand is currently Lead Non-Executive Board Member for the UK Cabinet Office. 

Further to the announcement on 5 July 2022 of the creation of the new role of Chief Data Officer, Saga confirms that Michael O'Donohue has been appointed to the Executive team. He will be focused on realising the potential in the way Saga uses customer insight to enhance its commercial value. Michael joins from Camelot, the operator of the National Lottery, where he is currently Chief Data Officer. He has also held senior positions with Centrica and Tesco, having previously been a consultant with McKinsey and Company. Michael will join Saga on 3 October 2022.

Ian Simkins, currently the Chair of luxury villa specialist, The Thinking Traveller, and of the Inside Travel Group which specialises in tailor-made trips to Japan and Asia, will become the Chair of Saga's subsidiary Cruise Board. Ian brings a wealth of experience from the travel and wider consumer industries, and specifically from the luxury travel market, having previously been the CEO of Audley Travel, where he grew turnover fivefold over seven years. Previously he held senior positions at Tesco, TUI, British Airways and Thomson Holidays.  Ian will join the Cruise Board on 1 September 2022.

Sir Roger De Haan, Non-Executive Chairman of Saga, said:

"I am delighted to welcome Anand, Michael and Ian to Saga. I look forward to working with them as we focus on delivering the next phase of our growth strategy. They each bring extensive and relevant experience and expertise to the Group at a time when the business is being reshaped towards a greater focus on marketing, content and distribution."

Euan Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of Saga, said:

"I look forward to working with all three of the new appointees as we focus on delivering long-term, sustainable growth in the interests of all our stakeholders. Their wide-ranging specialisms further strengthen the Group's skillset at a time when we are rolling out our growth strategy and building Saga into the superbrand for older people."

With regard to the appointment of the Non-Executive Directors, there is no further information which would require disclosure under 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.

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Notes to editors:

Saga is a specialist in the provision of products and services for people over 50. The Saga brand is one of the most recognised and trusted brands in the UK and is known for its high level of customer service and its high quality, award-winning products and services including cruises and holidays, insurance, personal finance and publishing. www.saga.co.uk