Former Angling Direct CEO and Managing Director to leave company

Angling Direct’s former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Darren Bailey, is set to leave the company.

For over 20 years he has worked alongside co-founder, Martyn Page, building Angling Direct into the UK’s largest fishing tackle retailer. Together they led the company to an AIM listing on the London Stock Exchange and he has been integral to its development as a public company.

He moved from his role as CEO to Non-Executive Director in 2019 and has now announced that he will not stand for re-election at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Andy Torrance, Angling Direct CEO, said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Darren for his outstanding dedication and service to our company, which he has helped build over more than 20 years, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

Bailey said: “Angling Direct’s prospects and potential are as strong as they have ever been and I look forward to following its progress as the company evolves. I wish Andy and Martyn and the rest of the team all the very best for the future.”

Angling Direct has also announced that Page, currently Executive Chairman, intends to seek re-appointment to the Board in the role of Non-Executive Chairman.

Following these changes, the Executive Board will comprise of Torrance (CEO) and Steven Crowe (CFO). The Non-Executive Board will be made up of Page (Non-Executive Chairman), Paul Davies (Independent Non-Executive Director) and Dilys Maltby (Independent Non-Executive Director).

Picture: Darren Bailey (fourth from left) was integral to the company’s AIM placing on the London Stock Exchange.