SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of March 14 2003
Commission file number: 0-30924
MARCONI PLC
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
4th Floor
Regents Place
338 Euston Road
London
NW1 3BT
(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
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In order to utilize the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"), Marconi plc ( the
"Company") is providing the following cautionary statement. Except for
historical information contained herein, statements contained in this Report on
Form 6-K may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Reform Act. The words "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "estimate",
"plan", "assume", "positioned", "will", "may", "risk" and other similar
expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends
which do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements.
Reliance should not be placed on such statements because they involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are in some cases beyond
the control of the Company, together with its subsidiaries (the "Group"), and
may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to differ
materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements (and from past results,
performance or achievement). Certain factors that may cause such differences
include but are not limited to the following: (1) any major disruption in
production at our key facilities; (2) changes in the environmental, tax and
other laws and regulations, which, among other things, could cause us to incur
substantial additional capital expenditures and operation and maintenance costs;
and (3) adverse changes in the markets for our products, including as a result
of increased competition in the highly competitive international markets for
such products. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors are discussed in
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1 and other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including this Form 6-K. Shareholders and
prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements which speak only as to the Company's judgment as of
the date hereof. Any such forward-looking statements are not intended to give
any assurance as to future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to
reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
MARCONI BOARD CHANGES
London - 14 March 2003 - Marconi today announced the agreement of two new
non-executive directors to join the Board of Marconi Corporation plc.
Kathleen Flaherty, a US-based global telecommunications executive with over
twenty years experience in the communications industry, has agreed to join as a
non-executive director of Marconi Corporation plc. Ian Clubb, with over 25 years
experience in a range of senior financial and management roles, has also agreed
to join the Board of Marconi Corporation plc as a non-executive director. Both
these appointments will take effect at the time of Marconi Corporation's
forthcoming listing on the London Stock Exchange following the implementation of
the Group's financial restructuring.
Kathleen Flaherty spent seventeen years with MCI, latterly as senior vice
president, global product architecture and engineering. Previously (1995-97) she
spent two years on secondment from MCI to BT, during which time she was BT's
marketing director for National Business Communications. Between 1998 and 2001
Kathleen was in Brussels and New York as president and chief operating officer
of Winstar International, a fixed wireless communications company.
Ian Clubb is chairman of First Choice plc, Shanks Group plc and Platinum
Investment Trust plc. He is also a non-executive director of oil industry
services company, Expro International plc. He was group finance director at BOC
Group plc (1991-1994) and deputy chief executive and group finance director at
British Satellite Broadcasting Ltd (1989-1991).
These appointments represent significant additions to the restructuring of the
Marconi Board. The Company expects to make further appointments in due course.
Furthermore, when the forthcoming scheme of arrangement becomes effective, the
financial restructuring will have reached its final stages. Accordingly, Allen
Thomas, a non-executive director who joined the Board in May 2002 specifically
to assist the Company with its restructuring, will step down from the Boards of
Marconi plc and Marconi Corporation with immediate effect.
John Devaney, chairman of Marconi plc, said: "I am delighted to welcome Kathleen
Flaherty and Ian Clubb to the Board. Kathleen's international telecommunications
experience and Ian's broad base of experience in senior management, will be
great assets to the Company as we emerge and rebuild from our financial
restructuring.
"Allen's restructuring experience enabled him to make a considerable
contribution to helping the company through its financial restructuring. As we
reach the final stages of that process, Allen has decided that it is appropriate
for him to step down from the Board at this time.
"We wish Allen well and thank him for his contribution in his time on the Board
of Marconi."
The Board of Marconi Corporation plc after the forthcoming restructuring will
now comprise:
Chairman John Devaney
Executive Directors: Mike Parton, Chief Executive Officer
Mike Donovan, Chief Operating Officer
Chris Holden, Chief Financial Officer (Interim)
Non-Executive Directors: Kent Atkinson, Chairman of Audit Committee
Ian Clubb, Chairman of Remuneration Committee
Kathleen Flaherty
Werner Koepf
ENDS/...
About Marconi plc
Marconi plc is a global telecommunications equipment and solutions company
headquartered in London. The company's core business is the provision of
innovative and reliable optical networks, broadband routing and switching and
broadband access technologies and services. The company's aim is to help fixed
and mobile telecommunications operators worldwide reduce costs and increase
revenues.
The company's customer base includes many of the world's largest
telecommunications operators. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange
under the symbol MONI. Additional information about Marconi can be found at
http://www.marconi.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products,
partners, customers, future growth and other matters. Please refer to the Form
20-F report and Form 6-K reports filed by Marconi plc with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks that could cause
actual results
to differ materially from such statements.
Copyright (c) 2003 Marconi plc. All rights reserved. All brands or product names
are trademarks of their respective holders.
Contacts
Joe Kelly/David Beck
Public Relations
Marconi plc
+44 (0) 207 306 1771
+44 (0) 207 306 1490
joe.kelly@marconi.com
Heather Green
Investor Relations
Marconi plc
+44 (0) 207 306 1735
heather.green@marconi.com
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.
MARCONI PLC
By: ____M Skelly____
Name: M Skelly
Title: Secretary
Date: 14 March 2003