Ratos: Nina Jönsson new CEO of HL Display

2015-09-29

This information is disclosed in accordance with the Securities Markets Act, the Financial Instruments Trading Act or demands made in the exchange rules.

Nina Jönsson has been appointed the new CEO of HL Display, a global supplier of products and systems for in-store communication and merchandising. Nina Jönsson has extensive experience of international retail, most recently as the Senior Vice President Category & Purchasing for ICA Sverige. She is expected to commence during the first quarter 2016 and will succeed Gérard Dubuy, who is leaving his position as CEO after nine years.

Since 2010, Nina Jönsson has been the Senior Vice President Category & Purchasing for ICA Sverige, which has included responsibility for building up ICA's private label brands. Prior to this, Nina worked at Proctor&Gamble, where she held a number of executive positions for 18 years, including as Market Strategy and Planning Director for the East European market, Country Manager for Sweden and Customer Marketing Manager for the Nordic region. Nina Jönsson is 49 years old; was born and grew up in Helsinki and has a BSc in Business Administration, Economics and Marketing from Uppsala University.

In recent years, HL Display has developed its operations by implementing major changes to streamline production, as well as a new global sales strategy to increase its share of concept sales. After a few years of intense change and an ever-changing market, the company is now entering a new phase, which is why the Board of Directors of HL Display has decided to recruit a new CEO. Gérard Dubuy has been the CEO of HL Display since 2006. The current CFO will become the Acting CEO until Nina assumes her position.

"During Gérard's time as CEO, HL Display successfully implemented restructuring measures in production, logistics and administration. Gérard has also been instrumental in creating the leading market position that the company has today. The company is now entering a new phase with a major focus on growth. Nina Jönsson is contributing extensive experience from the most important customer segments, retail and brand suppliers, which I believe is positive for the continued development of HL Display. She also has a strong track record, with broad international experience," says Susanna Campbell, CEO of Ratos.

Ratos became part owner of HL Display in 2001 and in 2010, acquired most of the shares and bought the company from Nasdaq Stockholm. HL Display is currently a market-leading player with an international offering of products and systems for store communication and merchandising in 47 countries. Ratos's holding in HL Display currently amounts to 99% and the consolidated book value was SEK 817m at 30 June 2015. The number of employees amounts to about 1,150. HL Display reported sales of SEK 1,509m in 2014 and the adjusted EBITA amounted to SEK 77m.

For further information, please contact:
Robin Molvin, Senior Investment Manager, +46 8 700 17 00
Elin Ljung, Head of Corporate Communications, +46 8 700 17 20

Financial calendar from Ratos:
Interim report January-September 2015       6 November 2015

Ratos is a private equity conglomerate. The company's mission is to maximise shareholder value over time through the professional, active and responsible exercise of its ownership role in primarily unlisted medium sized Nordic companies. Ratos's holdings include AH Industries, Aibel, Arcus-Gruppen, Biolin Scientific, Bisnode, DIAB, Euromaint, GS-Hydro, Hafa Bathroom Group, HENT, HL Display, Inwido, Jøtul, KVD, Ledil, Mobile Climate Control, Nebula and Speed Group. Ratos is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and market capitalisation amounts to approximately SEK 18 billion.