Allan Leighton, new Chairman of Peacock´s

Peacocks, a leading fashion value retailer with 700 stores across the UK and overseas, has just announced the appointment of Allan Leighton as Chairman with immediate effect. The appointment comes as the chain looks to consolidate its position

in the UK and expand overseas.

News of the appointment will fuel speculation that Peacocks could be sold or floated over the medium term, British press published early this week. Last year the company carried out a strategic review. Shareholders opted to continue to support its development strategy, including opening 30 Peacocks stores a year.

Peacocks, which has more than 500 stores in the UK, was taken private in 2006 by chief executive Richard Kirk. The chain is backed by Perry Capital and Och-Ziff, the hedge funds. Mr Leighton will bring vast corporate and high street experience with him. As well being the deputy chairman of Selfridges, George Weston Ltd and Loblaw Companies Ltd; Chairman of Pandora A/S and MusicMagpie, and the former chairman of the Royal Mail, he is a non-executive director of BSkyB.

“Peacocks is a great success story that gives its customers fantastic fashion at unbeatable prices. There are many great opportunities to develop the business and I am excited to be now working with the Peacocks team on this,” the new Chairman said soon after his appointment was released.

Allan Leighton started his career in Mars Confectionery as a salesman in 1974 before leaving to join Pedigree Petfoods in 1991, where he was Sales Director until his appointment in 1992 to Asda Stores Ltd. He began his career in Asda as Group Marketing Director and was appointed Chief Executive in September 1996. In November 1999, when the American company Wal-Mart bought Asda, Allan became President and CEO of Wal-Mart Europe.

In November 2000 he left Asda and developed a new work ethic – “Going Plural‟ – as he took on non-executive positions in a string of companies including lastminute.com, Leeds United, Dyson Ltd, Cannons Group Ltd, Bhs Ltd, BSkyB Group plc and Selfridges & Co.

Allan joined the Royal Mail as Chairman in 2002, where he drove a period of modernization that has transformed Royal Mail from loss making into a profitable business. Allan stepped down from his role in March 2009 making him the Royal Mail’s longest serving Chairman.

Richard Kirk, Chief Executive, said: “Allan’s vast experience will be invaluable as we take Peacocks to take the next stage; building on our continuing success in the UK and developing our successful international franchise. We are delighted to welcome him into our team.”