Connect Group PLC announced that, following a thorough external recruitment process, David Blackwood will join the Board as Chairman and non-executive director with effect from 13 May 2020. The appointment of Mr. Blackwood will similarly see Gary Kennedy step down as Chairman and non-executive director of the Company with effect from close of business on 13 May 2020. The new appointment of Mr. Blackwood and the impending retirement of Gary Kennedy from the Board follows on from Mr. Kennedy's statement to the Company's Annual General Meeting held on 31 January 2020 of his intention to step down with effect from conclusion of the strategic review of the Tuffnells business which was previously announced on 6 November 2019 and which concluded with the completion of the sale of Tuffnells to Palm Bidco Limited on 2 May 2020. David Blackwood will also chair the Nominations Committee and be a member of the Remuneration Committee. David Blackwood has extensive business and listed company experience, notably in Finance, Audit and Risk. He holds non-executive director positions at each of Stobart Group PLC, Dignity plc and Scapa Group plc where he is also Chairman of each of their respective Audit Committees and the Senior Independent Director at each of Dignity plc and Scapa Group plc. Previous positions include Chief Financial Officer and executive director of Synthomer plc where he was employed for seven years, stepping down in 2015, prior to which he held a number of senior roles within Imperial Chemical Industries plc (ICI). David has also previously served as a member of the Cabinet Office Audit and Risk Committee and on the Board for Actuarial Standards. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT).