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Richemont Securities AG - Management Changes At Alfred Dunhill
Richemont Securities AG
(Incorporated in Switzerland)
(Registration CH-170.3.013.861-6)
JSE Code : RCH
ISIN: CH0013157380
PRESS RELEASE
MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT ALFRED DUNHILL
Richemont, the Swiss luxury goods group, regrets to announce the resignation of
Mr Simon Critchell, Chief Executive Officer of Alfred Dunhill Limited, after
more than 15 years with Richemont. Mr Critchell will remain with the Group until
31 March 2006.
Formerly President and CEO of Richemont North America, Mr Critchell was
instrumental in Cartier`s expansion in the United States throughout the 1990s.
He was appointed to the Richemont management board in March 2001 and became CEO
of Alfred Dunhill Limited in September of that year, when he moved to London and
assumed responsibility for the worldwide renaissance of that unique, masculine,
luxury brand.
In describing Mr Critchell`s achievements in the last 15 years, Johann Rupert,
Richemont Executive Chairman said `After eleven distinguished years in New York,
Simon took on the challenge of Alfred Dunhill in 2001 when the business was in
difficulty and lacked direction. He has brought the brand back to a level of
prominence with the press and the public that it has not seen for a number of
years. We are sad to see Simon leave but wish him well in the future.`
Simon Critchell said, `On a personal front, there are several projects I have
been thinking about for some time and, after nearly 4 years at Alfred Dunhill, I
feel now is the time to move on. It has been a privilege to lead Alfred Dunhill
and I wish the brand every future success`.
Richemont has appointed Mr Christopher Colfer as Chief Executive Officer of
Alfred Dunhill Limited to replace Mr Critchell. Mr Colfer, aged 36, joined
Richemont in 1991 as a marketing executive in Rothmans International. He was
closely involved in the successful integration of Rothmans International brand
portfolio into British American Tobacco, following the merger of the two
companies in 1999. Most recently, he has been responsible for a number of
marketing initiatives and has overseen the successful development of Richemont`s
smaller brands, including Chloe, Hackett and Purdey and has been responsible for
a number of the Group`s venture and development capital investments.
Richemont owns a portfolio of leading international brands including Cartier,
Van Cleef & Arpels, Alfred Dunhill, Montblanc and Lancel as well as prestigious
watch manufacturers Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, Baume & Mercier, IWC, Vacheron
Constantin, A. Lange & Sohne and Officine Panerai.
In addition to its luxury goods business, Richemont holds an 18.3 per cent
interest in British American Tobacco.
Further enquiries: Mr Alan Grieve
Director of Corporate Communications
Tel. + 41 22 715 3736
Analysts` inquiries: Ms Sophie Cagnard-Fabrici
Head of Investor Relations
Tel. + 33 1 5818 2597
Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA
8 Boulevard James-Fazy CH-1201 Geneva Switzerland
Telephone +41 (0) 22 715 3500 Telefax +41 (0) 22 715 3550 www.richemont.com
Date: 09/06/2005 07:34:32 AM
Produced by the JSE SENS Department