Paul Bates Appointed Chairman of CNW Group's Board of Directors

TORONTO , Oct. 27 /CNW/ -

http://smr.newswire.ca/en/cnw/paul-bates-appointed-chairman-of-the-board-of-directors

Paul Potts , CBE is pleased to announce that Paul Bates , Dean and Industry Professor in Financial Management Services at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, will succeed him as Chairman of the Board of Directors at CNW Group, effective October 27, 2009 .

"Paul has been a valued member of the CNW Group Board for the past seven years. His current work and past experience provides him with incredible insight into CNW's business and its clients' needs," said Mr. Potts . "In the role of Chairman, Paul will be an even greater asset to CNW Group."

Formerly an executive in the Canadian brokerage industry, Mr. Bates is serving his second term as Dean and Industry Professor in Financial Management Services at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Mr. Bates also serves as a member of the Board of Governors at McMaster University. As a former Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, he was awarded an Outstanding Teacher Award in 2003 and again in 2004.

A Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Mr. Bates served two terms as a Commissioner with the Ontario Securities Commission, and is currently a member of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada . He also chairs the Investor Education Fund (www.investored.ca).

Of his appointment, Mr. Bates said "I am incredibly honored to have this opportunity. CNW's newswire is considered an essential service to thousands of Canadian PR and IR professionals, and to the news media in this country. As it approaches its 50th year, the company is entering a period of technological transformation. This is an exciting time to be Chairman of the CNW board."

Mr. Potts will be retiring from six years as Chairman of the Board of Directors at CNW Group and Group Chief Executive of the PA Group, owners of the UK's Press Association, in January 2010 . Mr. Potts joined the Press Association as Editor-in-Chief in May 1995 and was appointed Group Chief Executive of PA Group in February 2000 and Executive chairman in May 2008 . In December 2008 , Mr. Potts was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to journalism.

"It has been a pleasure working with Paul. He has made an enormous contribution to the development and success of CNW Group and we wish him the very best in his retirement," said Carolyn McGill-Davidson, President and CEO, CNW Group.

About CNW Group:

CNW Group is Canada'a leading newswire and a global leader in news and information distribution services for professional communicators. Established in 1960, CNW is part of the International PR Newswire network, reaching news outlets in 135 countries worldwide. CNW Group provides electronic news distribution, targeting, monitoring, translation, MediaRoom, Webcast and disclosure services to corporate, government, associations, labour, not-for-profit and other customers worldwide. CNW Group helps Canadian and international organizations to connect with local and international audiences including the news media, the investment community and the general public. CNW Group is co-owned by two global leaders in news distribution: PR Newswire, based in New York City , USA and PA Group, based in London , UK. www.newswire.ca 1.877.CNW.7890

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For further information: Laurie Smith, Vice President, Culture & Communications, CNW Group, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]