easyJet has appointed a new chief executive
posted: Sep 2, 2005

easyJet plc announced today that Andrew Harrison (48) has been selected as Chief Executive of the company, following the announcement on 16 May that Ray Webster would be retiring. Andrew, who was previously the Chief Executive of RAC plc prior to its acquisition by Aviva plc earlier this year, will be taking up his new post on 1 December 2005.

Andrew joined Lex Service plc in 1996 as Chief Executive and led its transformation from a vehicle distribution company into RAC plc, a strongly-branded, consumer-facing services company with 6.5 million members. RAC plc delivered strong growth in a variety of consumer services, which included BSM, financial and legal services, as well as good expansion in business services, winning large contracts. The successful integration of Lex and RAC resulted in a strong rise in profits and a tripling of the share price during Andrew’s tenure as Chief Executive.

Since 2000 Andrew has been a Non-Executive Director at Emap, where he chairs the Audit Committee. Prior to Lex Service, Andrew was an Executive Director of Courtaulds Textiles plc since 1990.

Sir Colin Chandler, Chairman of easyJet, said:
“I am very pleased that Andrew has agreed to join easyJet. This is the successful conclusion of a rigorous search process conducted by a professional search company which assessed candidates across a wide range of consumer-facing industries.
“We had a number of criteria that our new CEO had to meet; in particular, he or she needed to have had senior management experience in a large and well recognised consumer-facing plc. In addition, Andrew has delivered strong top and bottom line growth, improved cash generation, introduced cost efficiencies and inspired employees in a service industry.”

Andrew Harrison said:
“easyJet has an exciting future ahead, continuing to deliver rapid growth and further building upon its strong position in the rapidly expanding European low cost airline market. I look forward to leading the easyJet team to make this happen.”
There are no further disclosures required under paragraph 6.F.2 (b) to (g) of the Listing Rules.

For more information on easyJet please visit www.easyJet.com.