FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of July
Commission File Number
WATERFORD WEDGWOOD PLC
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
1/2 UPPER HATCH ST, DUBLIN 2, IRELAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X...
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
13 July 2005
Waterford Wedgwood plc
New Chief Executive for Wedgwood
Waterford Wedgwood plc ("the Group"), the international luxury goods company,
today announces the appointment of Moira Gavin as Chief Executive at Wedgwood,
its English fine bone china subsidiary.
Ms Gavin, 48, currently the President of Wedgwood USA, will take over from Tony
O'Reilly Jnr who is leaving his positions as Chief Executive at Wedgwood and as
a Director of the Group to take up the role of Chief Executive Officer at
Providence Resources plc, the oil and gas exploration and production company. Mr
O'Reilly was appointed Deputy Chief Executive of the Wedgwood Group in 2001,
becoming Chief Executive a year later. The change will be effective from
September 1st.
Ms Gavin started her career as a buyer at Macy's, the American department store
company. She joined Waterford Wedgwood Group in 1987 and worked in a number of
positions before leaving in June 1997 to take a senior position at Lenox, the US
tableware company. She rejoined the Group in November 2001 and was appointed
President of Wedgwood USA in 2002. She has since been responsible for building
Wedgwood in America into one of the top brands in its sector. She has also been
responsible for forging the company's highly successful collaboration with
designer Vera Wang.
Ms Gavin said:
"It is a great honour to take over responsibility for this globally-admired and
important business as it prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its
foundation by Josiah Wedgwood in 1759. Tony O'Reilly has left Wedgwood with a
legacy of reduced costs and a design-led culture. I will further develop and
contemporise our offering so that the achievements of our predecessors will fuel
the successes of our future.
"I believe that, following the acquisition of Royal Doulton, Wedgwood is well
positioned for future growth. I look forward to continuing the culture of
excellence."
Peter Cameron, Chief Operating Officer, said:
"Tony has made a terrific contribution to restructuring Wedgwood and the English
fine bone china industry over the past four years, including leading the recent
acquisition of Royal Doulton. He leaves with our gratitude and best wishes. We
have a rich bank of talent within the Group and I feel fortunate that we can
benefit from Moira's leadership skills as well as her unique talents in sales
and marketing. She will play a key role in the months and years ahead."
Enquiries
Powerscourt +44 20 7236 5615
Rory Godson
Dennehy Associates +353 1 676 4733
Michael Dennehy
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Waterford Wedgwood PLC
(Registrant)
By: Patrick Dowling
(Signature)*
Date:13 July, 2005