BYTES TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC - Retirement of Chair and Board appointments

Retirement of Chair and Board appointments



Bytes Technology Group plc
(Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registered number: 12935776)
LEI: 213800LA4DZLFBAC9O33
Share code: BYI
ISIN: GB00BMH18Q19
("BTG" or "the Company")

1 July 2026

                             Retirement of Chair and Board appointments

Retirement of Chair

Bytes Technology Group plc, one of the UK and Ireland's leading software, security, AI and cloud services
specialists, announces that Patrick De Smedt intends to step down from his role as Chair of the Board by
30 September 2026, allowing an orderly transition to the new Chair. Patrick has served as Chair since the
Company's listing in 2020 and wishes to devote more time to other professional and personal interests.

Board appointments

The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Gavin Rochussen as an independent Non-
Executive Director and Chair-designate, with effect from 10 July 2026. He will become Chair upon
Patrick's retirement from the Board. A further announcement will be made in due course to confirm the
date on which Gavin will transition into the role of Chair.

The Board is also pleased to announce the appointment of Tapiwa Ngara as a Non-Executive Director,
with effect from 10 July 2026.

Appointment of independent Non-Executive Director and Chair-designate

Gavin brings over three decades' leadership experience, including as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of
Polar Capital Holdings plc ("Polar Capital"), the London-listed specialist asset manager, where he led a
period of disciplined growth, strategic realignment and international expansion. Gavin ensured the
measured evolution of a successful founder-led organisation through a strategy of 'growth with
diversification', delivering strong and sustained shareholder value creation at Polar Capital. He also served
as CEO of J O Hambro Capital Management and Group CEO of Fleming Family & Partners, one of
Europe's leading multi-family office platforms. Gavin has a strong record of engaging with institutional
shareholders, boards and capital markets participants across the UK and internationally.

Upon appointment, Gavin will serve as a member of the BTG Nomination, Remuneration and ESG
Committees. Following Patrick's retirement from the Board, Gavin will succeed Patrick as Chair of the
Nomination Committee.

Appointment of Non-Executive Director

Tapiwa is an Investment Director at Value Capital Partners (Pty) Ltd, an institutional shareholder of the
Company. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of JSE-listed Altron Ltd and Sun International Ltd.
Previously, he held roles in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, and in corporate development,
investor relations and finance at Vivo Energy plc and Anglo American plc in London. He holds an MBA
(Distinction) degree from London Business School, and the Chartered Accountant (SA) designation.
Tapiwa brings capital allocation, institutional shareholder and board experience across the UK and
international capital markets.

Upon appointment, Tapiwa will serve as a member of the BTG Nomination Committee.
In accordance with paragraphs 6.4.8R(1) to (6) of the UK Listing Rules, it is confirmed that there are no
further details to be disclosed in relation to the above appointments.

Erika Schraner, Senior Independent Director, commented: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to
express our sincere appreciation to Patrick for his leadership and dedication over the past six years, during
which time he has made a significant contribution to the Company. We respect his decision to step down
and wish him all the best for the future.

We are also pleased to welcome Gavin Rochussen and Tapiwa Ngara to the Board, and look forward to
working with them as BTG continues to focus on execution and disciplined delivery of its strategy."

Enquiries:

Bytes Technology Group plc
James Zaremba, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 (0)1372 418 500
Email: IR@bytesplc.com

Sodali & Co
Elly Williamson
Tilly Abraham
Tel: +44 (0)2072 501446
Email: btg@info.sodali.com

The Company has a primary listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and a secondary
listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Sponsor
Investec Bank Limited

Date: 01-07-2026 08:00:00
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