For immediate release 4 January 2012
GENUS plc
("Genus" or "the Company")
Senior Management Changes
Genus, a leading global animal genetics company, announces two senior management changes within the Group.
Firstly, Genus is delighted to announce that Catherine Glickman will join the Company as Group Human Resources (HR) Director on January 5th 2012. Catherine will be leading the Group's talent management strategy as well as taking responsibility for engaging, equipping and investing in Genus employees to help the Group deliver its ambitious plans for growth. Catherine will become a member of the Genus Executive Leadership Team and will report directly to Karim Bitar, Chief Executive Officer.
Until recently, Catherine was the Head of HR at Tesco, one of the five largest global retailers with over 500,000 employees in 14 countries. During her 20 years at Tesco she was instrumental in developing the HR strategy that helped drive the retailer's strong growth and international expansion in recent years. Overall, she has over 25 years' experience in HR, within Tesco and beyond.
Secondly, Denny Funk Ph.D, the Company's Chief Scientific Officer, has also joined the Genus Executive Leadership Team. Dr. Funk will report directly to Karim Bitar, Chief Executive, and will have full responsibility for the Company's research & development (R&D) programme. This will ensure that R&D has a key and highly visible role as Genus pursues its ambitious plans for the future. Dr. Denny Funk was an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before joining Genus in 1995.
Separately, Ian Biggs, formerly Head of Global Product and Business Strategy, has stepped down from his role to pursue other opportunities outside Genus. His primary responsibilities will be assumed by Dr. Denny Funk.
Karim Bitar, Chief Executive, commented:
"I am delighted to announce the appointment of such a high calibre and experienced individual as Catherine to the role of Group HR Director. Catherine has been attracted and inspired by the Group's ambitious plans and is as enthusiastic as I am about the opportunities ahead. She will play a major role as she helps shape our talent management strategy."
"I would like thank Ian for the contribution he has made to Genus over the years and we wish him all the best for the future. Lastly, I am delighted that Denny has taken overall responsibility for R&D and I look forward to working with him closely as we ensure R&D plays a clear and consistent part in helping Genus meet evolving customer and market needs."
For further information please contact:
Genus plc Tel: 01256 345970
Karim Bitar, Chief Executive
John Worby, Finance Director
Buchanan Tel: 0207 466 5000
Charles Ryland, Suzanne Brocks, Catherine Breen
www.buchanan.uk.com
This announcement is available on the Genus website, www.genusplc.com
About Genus
Genus creates advances to animal breeding through biotechnology and sells added value products for livestock farming and food producers. Its non-genetically modified organism technology is applicable across all livestock species but is only commercialised by Genus in the bovine and porcine farming sectors.
Genus' worldwide sales are made in seventy countries under the trademarks "ABS" (dairy and beef cattle) and "PIC" (pigs) and comprise semen and breeding animals with superior genetics to those animals currently in production. Customers' animals produce offspring with greater production efficiency, milk and meat output and quality, and use these to supply the global dairy and meat supply chain.
The Group's competitive edge has been created from the ownership and control of proprietary lines of breeding animals, the biotechnology used to improve them and its global production and distribution network.
With headquarters in Basingstoke, England, Genus companies operate in thirty countries on six continents, with research laboratories located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA
