Applus+ announces appointment of Chris Cole as Non-Executive Chairman

Barcelona, May 8 2014. The Board of Directors of Applus+ is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Cole as Non-Executive Chairman of Applus+.

Mr. Cole will assume his position tomorrow, May 9 2014, to coincide with Applus+ listing on the Spanish Stock Exchange. 

Mr. Cole has over four decades of experience in the engineering and consulting services fields. He has been Non-Executive Chairman of Ashtead Group plc since 2007 and Senior Independent Director of Infinis since September 2013. He is also Non-Executive Chairman of Tracsis. As a founder of WSP Group plc, he was at the helm during the IPO in 1987 and the merger with GENIVAR in 2012. He became Chairman and now Non-Executive Chairman of the merged entity WSP Global Inc. He is a Chartered Engineer.
 

Mr. Cole will be taking over from Joaquím Coello, who resigned on May 7. Mr. Coello was CEO of Applus+ from 2006 to late 2010 before taking over as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. During this period, Applus+ has become one of the world’s most successful industrial Testing, Inspection and Certification companies, developing a global platform with market leadership and scale. The Company has grown and strengthened significantly with Mr. Coello at the helm and now operates in 60 countries on five continents.

Mr. Fernando Basabe, Applus+ CEO, said:

“On behalf of everyone at Applus+, I would like to thank Joaquím Coello for his achievements in leading the Applus+ Board and guiding the Company in this important period. His contribution to the Company’s success has been much valued and we wish him all the best for the future. I’m very pleased to welcome Chris Cole as Non-Executive Chairman of Applus+.”
 
Mr. Chris Cole, in-coming Chairman of Applus+, commented:

“Applus is an excellent business that owes much to Joaquim’s leadership during a period of considerable growth and transformation, culminating in a hugely successful IPO. I am proud and looking forward to leading the Board through this next exciting chapter in the Company’s development.”
Applus+ also announces today the appointment of Aston Swift as Head of Investor Relations.

Mr. Swift previously worked at Intertek Group plc for over 17 years, where he held a senior group level role as Head of Tax, Treasury and Investor Relations since 2002. Mr. Swift joined the Government and Trade Services division of Intertek in 1996 and rose to be divisional Chief Finance Officer in 1999. He began his career in audit and is a Chartered Accountant.  

NOTES TO EDITORS:
Applus+, a global company in testing, inspection and certification

Applus+ is a global leader in testing, inspection and certification.

The company provides solutions for clients in all industries in order to ensure that their assets and products comply with regulations and environmental regulations, quality, health and safety.

Applus+ achieved a turnover of 1,600 million euros in 2013, employs 19,000 people and operates in 60 countries across 5 continents.

The company has been part of The Carlyle Group’s portfolio since 2007.