Optare plc

("Optare" or the "Company")

Steven Norris appointed as a Deputy Chairman of Optare

Optare is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Norris as Independent Non-Executive Director with immediate effect.  Mr Norris simultaneously takes on the role of Deputy Chairman of the Board and will assist Optare in working with the UK bus industry to achieve greener bus travel and improved air quality in the UK.

Steven John Norris, 69, started his career in the engineering and motor industries, entering into politics in 1977 when he was elected to Berkshire County Council.  In 1983 he became the Member of Parliament for Oxford East and subsequently held various parliamentary positions until 1992 when he became the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport and Minister for Transport in London.  Mr Norris was responsible for the Jubilee line extension, the largest extension of the London Underground network to date.

Mr Norris is widely known for his interest in public transport. He possesses a wealth of experience and is either currently or has previously held roles as Chairman of the National Cycling Strategy Board, Director General of the Road Haulage Association and President of the Motor Cycle Industry Association, a Commissioner with the Independent Transport Commission, and a patron of the cyclists charity, Sustrans and of the Campaign for Better Transport (UK) Trust. Mr Norris holds an MA in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford.  

Speaking of Mr Norris' appointment to Optare, John Fickling, Chairman said, "I am very pleased to welcome Steven to the Company. He brings a wealth of experience in the public transport sector to the role.  Steven's appointment will be pivotal to Optare working with the Government organisations and the UK Bus Industry to implement cleaner and greener public transport in the UK."

Mr Norris is currently or has previously been a director of the following companies or partnerships within the last 5 years:

Norris McDonough LLP

Steve Norris Limited

Fulham Football Club Foundation

The Urology Foundation

Project Associates UK Limited

Soho Estates Limited

Base Communications Limited

London International Exhibition Centre Holdings PLC

London International Exhibition Centre PLC

Sanctuary Investments Limited

London Resort Company Holdings Limited

The Internet Corporation Limited

Initiate Consulting Limited

London Communications Agency Limited

Surrey Canal Sports Foundation Limited

Inrix Holdings Limited*

Vysionics Limited*

Eastside Young Leaders Academy*

AMT-Sybex Limited*

Chartered Surveyors Training Trust*

Ardmore Construction Limited*

Byrne Estates Limited*

Vital Services Group Limited*

*Indicates no longer a director or partner

Mr Norris was a director of Jarvis PLC, a railway support services company, when it was placed into administration in March 2010, amidst difficult economic conditions. He was also a director of UK engineering business Vital Services Group Limited, until it was placed into administration in November 2013.

Mr Norris was also previously a director of the following companies which were either voluntarily wound up or dissolved within 12 months of his resignation:

London Action Trust Limited

Survey Inspection Systems Limited 

The Historic Motor Business Association

Good Ideas Multi Media Company Limited

ZeTec Power PLC

Fuel Cell Systems Limited

Norhani Hotels Limited

BLG realisations Limited

CGrade Realisations Limited

T and L Realisations Limited

Balmer Lindley Projects Limited

Essential Consulting (UK) Limited

Save as disclosed above, there is no further information required to be disclosed in accordance with Schedule 2, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules.

For further information, please contact:

Optare plc:                         Tel: +44 (0) 8434 873 200
Abhijit Mukhopadhyay, Company Secretary

Cenkos Securities plc:   Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900
Stephen Keys/Callum Davidson