The first Asian woman CEO of a FTSE company has been appointed by one of the UK’s market leaders in delivering facilities, engineering and property services. MITIE Group PLC has announced that Indian-born Ruby McGregor-Smith, aged 43, will be Chief Executive of the Group effective from 30 March 2007. Ruby joined the Board of MITIE in December 2002 as Group Finance Director and was subsequently appointed as Chief Operating Officer in September 2005. She is a Chartered Accountant and has held senior financial posts at Babcock International Group plc and Serco Group plc.

Ruby will succeed Ian Stewart, the current Chief Executive, who will retire from his Executive position on the Board and will assume the role of Non Executive Deputy Chairman. David Ord, Chairman commented, “I am delighted to be able to announce these changes to the Board of MITIE. The appointment of Ruby McGregor-Smith as Chief Executive marks a new era for the Group. She has clearly demonstrated her commitment to MITIE as well as the ability to take on this new role. Her appointment as Chief Executive will provide important continuity and strong leadership for the Group, and I am sure that she will undertake her new role with energy and enthusiasm. I wish her every success.

Ruby McGregor-Smith commented, “I am delighted to have been appointed as Chief Executive of MITIE. David Telling, the founding Chairman of MITIE and Ian Stewart were responsible for creating and growing a business that has performed consistently since its inception and which has provided exceptional opportunities for its people. I would like to thank Ian in particular for the support that he has given me at MITIE. I am proud to work with the team at MITIE and I look forward with excitement to the years to come.”