M. P. EVANS GROUP PLC

("MPE" OR THE "GROUP")

Directorate change

Richard Robinow

The board of directors of M.P. Evans Group PLC (the "board") announces that Richard Robinow, a non-executive director, is retiring from the board on 31 December 2019. 

The board is extremely grateful to Richard for the invaluable contribution that he has made to the Group over many years as a director and for a period as chairman.  His expertise and knowledge about both the plantation world and corporate affairs generally will be greatly missed.

Dr Darian McBain

The Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Darian McBain as a non-executive director. She joins the board with effect from 1 January 2020.

Darian has over 20 years' experience working in sustainability roles. Darian is currently Global Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Thai Union Group PCL ("Thai Union"), which she joined in July 2015. At Thai Union, Darian is focussed on implementing change to drive sustainability through the entire global seafood industry and beyond. Prior to Thai Union, Darian was Managing Director at Blue Sky Green, a boutique consultancy focussing on business strategy and planning, procurement, supply chain analysis and sustainability.

Darian also has experience within the palm-oil industry, working for a year from March 2014 as a Sustainable Palm Oil Manager for WWF-Australia where she helped to influence the sustainability of global supply chains for palm oil and assess risk in company supply chains.

Darian is the recipient of several awards for her work in sustainability, including Business Leader of the Year (Ethical Corporation Responsible Business Awards 2018); Highly Commended (Thomson Reuters Foundation Stop Slavery Award 2018); and Sustainability Leader of the Year (Edie Sustainability Awards Leaders 2017).

Under schedule 2, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies, the following additional information is disclosed:

In the previous five years, Darian May McBain, age 46, who does not have a shareholding in MPE, has been a director or partner of the following companies and partnerships (* indicates she is still a director or partner):

Thai Union Group PLC (Thailand)*

BSG Consulting (formerly: Blue Sky Green) (Australia)

Be Slavery Free (formerly: STOP THE TRAFFIK Australia) (Australia)*

Peter Hadsley-Chaplin, Executive Chairman of MPE, said:

"We are sad to bid farewell to Richard whose board contribution has been second to none. At the same time, we are delighted that Darian has agreed to join the Group. She has extensive knowledge and experience of corporate affairs and sustainability, including in the palm-oil industry. As a producer of sustainable Indonesian palm oil, MPE seeks to ensure it operates in accordance with the standards of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and implements high standards of sustainability throughout our Group. Darian's significant experience and recognition as a leader in the field of sustainability will be invaluable to MPE. We are excited about her appointment and look forward to working with her."

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