The Board confirms that following a period of ill health over the last few weeks which has prevented him from participation in Board activities, Mr. H. J. Mark Tompkins has left the Board and ceased to be Chairman and a Director of the Company with immediate effect. This decision was taken as a result of the difficult period which NMC has faced and a desire of the remaining Board members to focus on the challenges ahead for the Company. The Board has also decided to appoint Mr. Faisal Belhoul as Executive Chairman of the Company. The Board has decided that the appointment of an Executive Chairman based in the UAE is appropriate given the challenging period the Company is facing at the current time as it reviews previous financial irregularities; discusses its debt position with its lenders; focuses on preserving value for its stakeholders; and continues to deliver outstanding levels of care to patients.