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Williams Grand
Prix Holdings today announced that Claire Williams will join the Board with
effect from 1 April 2012 as Director of Marketing and Communications. The
key marketing position at Williams has become available following the
decision of Dominic Reilly to leave the Company at the end of March. At the
same time, Sir Frank Williams, Founder and Team Principal, announced his
decision to step down from the Board.
Adam Parr, Chairman, said, “Claire has worked at Williams for 10 years,
taking on increasingly demanding positions and demonstrating throughout all
of the qualities needed in this critical role. Claire will be accountable
for acquiring new partners for the Williams F1 Team as well as continuing to
be responsible for ensuring effective communication about the team and the
Group as a whole. The Board concluded that Claire’s appointment would
further strengthen its quality, diversity and effectiveness. I would also
like to join Frank in expressing sincere thanks to Dominic Reilly for eight
years’ of dedicated service to Williams, during which he has been highly
successful in acquiring and working with our partners. Dominic plans to set
up a new venture, with the support of Williams, and we wish him great
success.”
Frank Williams, Team Principal, said, “It is no secret that Claire is my
daughter but I am proud to say that she has fought hard to earn this
appointment and of all the battles she has had to fight, the prejudices of
her father were not the least challenging. Dominic Reilly has proven a
unique talent in the field of sports marketing and filling the gap he leaves
was daunting. But I have come to the view that Claire, with her profound
love and knowledge of the sport and the team, can do so and I am proud and
delighted that the Board has given her this opportunity. I am equally
delighted that Dominic will remain close to the team with his new venture
and that we can thank him for his contribution to Williams by supporting him
now.
“This is an opportune moment, also, for me to consider my own role in the
team. I turn 70 in April and I have decided to signal the next stage in the
gradual but inevitable process of handing over the reins to the next
generation by stepping down from the Board at the end of this month. This is
not as dramatic a move as it may appear: I shall continue to work full-time
as Team Principal and I shall continue to attend all Board meetings as
observer. I also remain the majority shareholder of Williams Grand Prix
Holdings PLC. Nonetheless, I shall be looking to Claire to represent the
Williams family on the Board and I know that she will work tirelessly
alongside Adam to make the Group and the team just as successful as we can
be.” |
