Assura plc announced that Simon Laffin intends to retire as Non-Executive Chairman and a Director of the Company at the conclusion of the AGM on 10 July 2018. Simon was appointed Chairman in 2011 and served over a period which has seen Assura grow strongly, join the FTSE 250 Index and establish itself as the leader in its sector. Simon indicated to the Board last year that he was considering retiring after seven years in the role. Accordingly, the Board initiated a search for a new non-executive director, who could provide possible succession to the Chairman. Following the search process, Ed Smith joined the board in October last year as a Non-Executive Director. The Board now intends to appoint Ed as Non-Executive Chairman at the AGM.