Sabre reveals new chairman

Sabre has announced that Andy Pomfret, currently the company’s senior independent director, has been selected to succeed Patrick Snowball as chairman.

The appointment will take effect from 1 September 2020, at which point Snowball will step down from the board and as a director of the Group.

Pomfret was chief executive officer of Rathbone Brothers Plc from 2004 to 2014 having joined in 1999 as finance director. He is currently a non-executive director of Sanne Group plc and Aberdeen New Thai Investment Trust PLC and Chairman of Miton UK MicroCap Trust plc.

Previously, Pomfret was a non-executive director at Beazley plc for eight years, during which time he chaired the audit and remuneration committees and served as senior independent director.  He is also a Chartered Accountant and was a founder member of the Prudential Regulation Authority Practitioner Panel. He also holds an MA from Queens’ College, Cambridge.

Commenting on his appointment, Pomfret said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to take on the role of chairman. Patrick oversaw the successful IPO of Sabre and helped the Group establish itself as a listed business. I am looking forward to carrying on Patrick’s good work with (chief executive) Geoff [Carter] and his team, to ensure the continued success of the business”.

Snowball added: “I have greatly enjoyed my time as chairman of Sabre. With Sabre now successfully established as a listed business the time is right for me to step away and I am pleased to see Andy appointed as Chairman.  He has all the skills and experience required for the role and will be a great source of support to the team”.

Carter also offered his thanks for the work Snowball had created: “I’d like to thank Patrick personally for all his invaluable support and advice over the last few years. He made a huge contribution during his time as chairman and the whole Board joins me in wishing him well for the future.  I’m pleased that Andy is becoming the chairman and I know everyone is looking forward to working with him in his new role”.

Sabre also announced that Rebecca Shelley has been appointed by the board and approved by the Regulator as the company’s senior independent director. Shelley has been on the board as a non-executive director since October 2017.

These changes are in addition to the appointment of Michael Koller as a non-executive director, which was announced on 28 July 2020. Koller will join the Board with effect from 1 September 2020.