8 October 2021

 WH Ireland Group Plc

("WH Ireland" or the "Company" and with its subsidiaries the "Group")

Directorate Change

Appointment of new Chief Financial Officer

WH Ireland (AIM: WHI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Jackson, as Chief Financial Officer of the Group and an Executive Director of the Company, subject to FCA approval. He will join the Company with effect from 11 October 2021.

Simon was Finance Director of Saunderson House Limited from January 2019 until March 2021, prior to its acquisition by Rathbone Brothers Plc, having previously been Group Finance Director of Brooks Macdonald Group plc from November 2000 to April 2018. In both roles he helped implement both organic and inorganic growth strategies whilst building finance capabilities that are essential to meet the increasing requirements of a growing, regulated business in public markets.  Simon's time at Brooks Macdonald included its admission to trading on AIM in 2005; between 2005 and 2017, Brooks Macdonald grew its funds under management from £371m to £11.7bn. Simon qualified as a chartered accountant with Macintyre Hudson, and spent 10 years with Rutland Trust plc, in a variety of senior finance roles, prior to joining Brooks Macdonald.

Furthermore, the Company confirms that Philip Tansey has announced he is to step down as Chief Financial Officer of the Group to pursue other opportunities. Philip Tansey will remain with WH Ireland until 31 December 2021 to ensure a smooth transition of the finance function to Simon Jackson.

Commenting on today's announcement, Phillip Wale, CEO of WH Ireland, said:

"On behalf of the Company, I am very pleased to welcome Simon to the team. Simon brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, which will prove invaluable as we enter the next phase of our growth. His experience will be particularly beneficial as we look to grow our Wealth Management business organically and by acquisition.

His time at both Saunderson House and Brooks Macdonald has given him very relevant experience in building the financial capabilities of a growing wealth management business. As we continue to grow and deliver on our ambitions to manage at least £3bn of DFM at a 20% margin, in tandem with a capital markets business that can sustainably deliver revenue in excess of £20m, this experience will be invaluable.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Phil Tansey for his major contribution to the turnaround at WH Ireland. The Group has moved from a significantly loss-making business to one that is growing profitability, with considerably reduced risk and is of much improved quality. He should be proud of what he has helped to achieve and WH Ireland is immensely grateful to him for his invaluable contribution to this phase of its development."

Further disclosures pursuant to Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies: 

Simon James Jackson, age 62, is currently or has previously been a director of the following companies within the past five years:

Simon Jackson has no beneficial interest in the equity securities of WH Ireland Group Plc.

Save as disclosed above, there is no further information to be disclosed pursuant to Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

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This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as amended by regulation 11 of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/310. With the publication of this announcement, this information is now considered to be in the public domain.