Directorate Change

DIRECTORATE CHANGE
OCADO GROUP PLC

4 February 2014

Ocado Group plc

Jason Gissing

Jason Gissing, co-founder of Ocado, has today announced that he will retire from the board at the Annual General Meeting in May 2014, and will leave the company then.  Ocado has, over the past few years, significantly strengthened its operating management team and will use the next few months to ensure a smooth transfer of his responsibilities.

Tim Steiner, fellow co-founder and Ocado CEO commented: "I have worked with Jason for 20 years. Jason has led the development of our brand, and helped shape the culture inside Ocado and the way we are perceived by our customers.  After our IPO he focused almost exclusively on marketing and cultural matters before taking on the role of Commercial Director. 

He has four young children and wants to spend more time with them. He also has a passion for various environmental and social concerns, and has chosen to focus on these important causes full-time in the future. 

He has been an invaluable partner and friend to me and I will miss his daily humour and insights. We all wish him the very best."

Sir Stuart Rose, Ocado chairman, commented: "Jason and Tim started Ocado from scratch just over 14 years ago. Today the business is valued at £3 billion, employing thousands of people, helping consumers around the UK in their busy lives. They have laid the foundations of a world-class business. To create a new supermarket in such a competitive market place is an amazing achievement. Jason should be very proud of Ocado. I wish him every success in the future."

For further information contact:

Tim Steiner, Chief Executive Officer on 020 7353 4200 today and 01707 228 000

Neill Abrams, Company Secretary on 01707 228 000

David Hardiman-Evans, Head of IR & Corporate Finance on 020 7353 4200 today and 01707 228 000

Andrew Grant, David Shriver, Katharine Wynne at Tulchan Communications on 020 7353 4200