Key Appointments within the Ritchie Group

John Ritchie Ltd is delighted to announce the appointments of John O’Nions as Business Development and Strategy Director and Paul Davies as Finance Director.

John O’Nions joins the group on January 17, 2011. Until December 2010 John led the Sales and Marketing function at Lion Hudson and during his long tenure there spearheaded impressive growth in both Christian and General Market sales as well as contributing significantly to the overall direction of the Lion Hudson business as a board member.

Commenting on the appointment John Ritchie Group CEO Ken Munro said “John joins us at an exciting time in our ongoing development. After a year of consolidation and stabilisation following the acquisition of STL Distribution we are now poised for significant growth and I am confident that John will be a key contributor. His industry reputation and experience are second to none and will significantly enhance the strength of our leadership team".

Anticipating his new role with John Ritchie Ltd, John O’Nions said “I have watched the re-birth of the former STL Distribution business under John Ritchie Ltd ownership and have been increasingly impressed with the swift recovery and innovation displayed by the new business. I am therefore delighted to be joining the company at such a pivotal time and I am looking forward to contributing to its future success”.

Paul Davies joins John Ritchie Ltd having led the Finance function in a £60m business at the heart of the UK Fishing industry. As a member of the Senior Management team, Paul led a number of key change management programmes within this business, which underpinned its growth and development.

Ken Munro said “Paul’s experience and skills are well aligned to the challenges and opportunities that face the Ritchie Group at this point in our continued development. I am delighted to have someone of Paul’s calibre joining the Senior Management Team as we begin 2011.

Further strengthening the Finance function is Samantha Park who joins the Group as Management Accountant. Samantha, an Accountancy graduate, has worked on major project initiatives in the Public Sector and more recently as a key member of the Finance team at Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

John Ritchie Ltd also announces that Steve Apted, Director of Supply Chain, is leaving the business.

Steve Apted will leave the company’s employment to pursue a new opportunity nearer to his home in Milton Keynes at the end of January.
Ken Munro indicated that he understood the personal reasons behind Steve’s move and wished him well for the future. While expressing appreciation for the valuable contribution that Steve has made, he also re-iterated the company’s continued commitment to and unmatched expertise in procuring product for the Christian Book trade.
Steve Apted stated his confidence in the continued success of the business and the significant progress made over recent months to renew and rebuild a vital component of the Trade in the UK. He also stated how much he had enjoyed his time with John Ritchie Ltd and his belief that an efficiently run Supply Chain will continue to provide a solid foundation for the ongoing growth of the business and will ensure effective future service to its many valued customers.

Ends.

17th January 2011