Outgoing chief at Spirit buys shares

Spirit Pub Company's outgoing chief executive Ian Dyson has purchased £58,575 worth of shares just days before he exits the company.

The director, who is leaving the firm after just over a year in the job, bought up 150,000 shares at 39.05p.

The former Marks & Spencer finance director will leave his post at the company's AGM in December to be replaced by his deputy Mike Tye.

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Dyson's replacement Tye joined Punch Taverns in 2008 and was managing director of the managed business prior to Spirit's demerger from Punch in August 2011.

The announcement, made in October, followed strong full year results with earnings per share up 18%.

Speaking about the resignation of Dyson, chairman Walker Boyd said he had led the business through a period of major change, leading to the successful demerger of Spirit and a significant improvement in operating performance and results.

"He will leave Spirit with a clear and exciting strategy, strong operational momentum, a high calibre management team and a well qualified successor," he said.

Top Director Buys

Kingspan Group (KGP)

Director name: Mr Geoff P Doherty

Amount purchased: 150,000 @ €6.00

Value: €900,000

Record (REC)

Director name: Mr James Wood-Collins

Amount purchased: 525,661 @ 14.90p

Value: £78,323

Spirit Pub Company (SPRT)

Director name: Mr Ian Dyson

Amount purchased: 150,000 @ 39.05p

Value: £58,575

Banco Santander SA (BNC)

Director name: Mr Francisco Luzon Lopez

Amount purchased: 9,800 @ 437.24p

Value: £42,850

Tower Resources (TRP)

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PayPoint (PAY)

Director name: Mr Steve Rowley

Amount purchased: 8,013 @ 495.00p

Value: £39,664

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Director name: Mr Paul Sheriff

Amount purchased: 235,046 @ 14.90p

Value: £35,022

JPMorgan Russian Securities (JRS)

Director name: Mr Robert Jeens

Amount purchased: 5,000 @ 511.03p

Value: £25,552

Record (REC)

Director name: Mrs Leslie Hill

Amount purchased: 156,697 @ 14.90p

Value: £23,348

Record (REC)

Director name: Mr Bob Noyen

Amount purchased: 156,697 @ 14.90p

Value: £23,348