19 Aug 2009

Intertek Group plc (Intertek), the leading provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries around the world announces the appointment of Edward Astle and Gavin Darby as Non-Executive Directors of Intertek Group plc and the retirement of Richard Nelson as Non-Executive Deputy Chairman. All changes are with effect from 1 September 2009.

Edward Astle is currently Pro-Rector of Commercial Development at Imperial College London where he leads the development of major business and project opportunities in the UK and internationally for the University. Edward has held a number of executive management roles across FTSE 100 multinational B2B companies in the telecoms and utility sectors. He was Executive Director of National Grid plc from 2001 to 2008, a Managing Director at the BICC group from 1997 to 1999 and an Executive and Regional Director at Cable & Wireless plc from 1989 to 1997. Previously he held senior business strategy positions in the UK and France. Edward is also currently Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Premier Research Group Ltd.

Gavin Darby is currently Operations & Business Development Director of Vodafone Group Plc for the Asia Pacific and Middle East Region. Prior to this he was Chief Executive Officer for Vodafone Affiliates in the USA, Africa, China and India from 2004 to 2008, and CEO of Vodafone UK from 2002 to 2004. Gavin has extensive international operational and management experience across the consumer goods and technology sectors having held senior executive positions at Coca-Cola Co, S.C Johnson & Son Ltd (UK) and Spillers Foods. Gavin is currently an Executive Director of Vodafone Essar Ltd and Indus Towers Ltd (India), Vodafone Egypt SAE, Vodafone Hutchinson Australia Pty Limited, and alternate for China Mobile Ltd.

Richard Nelson retires from Intertek’s Board after a 24-year tenure with the company. Richard assumed his present role of Non Executive Director and Deputy Chairman in April 2005 after retiring as Chief Executive Officer of Intertek, a position he held since the acquisition from Inchcape in 1996. Prior to that, Richard was Chief Executive of related Inchcape corporate entities from 1985.

Vanni Treves, Chairman said:

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Richard Nelson for the significant contribution he has made to the leadership and development of the Group. Richard’s work over the past two decades will have lasting impact and has been integral in taking the company to the successful position that it holds today. Richard’s contributions to Intertek began when it was still a private company and he was instrumental in our successful initial public offering and the ongoing and extensive development of the Group. We extend our best wishes for the future”.

“I am delighted to welcome Edward and Gavin to Intertek. Edward’s management and commercial strategy experience in the telecoms, industrial and science-related fields will bring additional relevant perspective to the Board recognising the diverse nature of the Intertek Group. Gavin’s extensive background in overseeing the operational development of businesses across international markets will be a valuable complement to the Board”.

Contacts
Aston Swift / Sarah Ogilvie, Intertek
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7396 3400      
aston.swift@intertek.com / sarah.ogilvie@intertek.com

Sophie Kernon / Andrew Dowler, Financial Dynamics
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7269 7291
sophie.kernon@fd.com / andrew.dowler@fd.com

About Intertek
Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world.

From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace.

Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 24,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.