Appointment of Non-Executive Director and Chair

Hostelworld Group plc ("Hostelworld" or the "Group") announces that Marieke Bax will join the Hostelworld Board as a Non-Executive Director with effect from today's date and will assume the role of Chair with effect from 31 March 2026.

Marieke brings extensive leadership experience in both executive and non-executive roles with a strong track record of delivering long-term shareholder value creation in listed, private equity-backed and digital and AI-enabled international customer-centric businesses. She has held senior executive positions across a range of sectors, including consumer goods, e-commerce, and corporate governance consultancy, including roles as European Head of M&A at Sara Lee Corporation, Chief Financial Officer of e-commerce start-up Hot-Orange and Managing Partner of corporate governance and communication firm Gooseberry. Most recently, Marieke served as a senior adviser to KPMG and Deloitte on innovation and disruptive M&A.

An experienced Non-Executive Director, Marieke is currently Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of InPost S.A., a Euronext Amsterdam-listed e-commerce platform specialising in e-commerce distribution, Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of MEDIQ, a PE-owned European provider of healthcare solutions, and Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Superbet Group, a tech-enabled multi-channel sports gaming operator. In the five-year period prior to her appointment, Marieke served as a Non-Executive Director of Xior Student Housing NV (Euronext Brussels) and Fastned B.V. (Euronext Amsterdam), and as Non-Executive Director and Chair at Climate Transition Capital B.V. (Euronext Amsterdam). A multi-linguist, Marieke has lived and worked in multiple countries and has a longstanding interest in connecting people across cultures, aligning closely with Hostelworld's global social travel community.

Her broad boardroom experience, digital and e-commerce insight, and focus on innovation and governance will support the ongoing evolution of the business into the world's leading social travel platform and the execution of the Group's strategic roadmap outlined at its April 2025 Capital Markets Day.

Carl G. Shepherd, Interim Chair, commented:

"The Board conducted an extensive search process, and we are delighted that Marieke is joining the Board and taking on the Chair role. Marieke was the unanimous choice of the Board and brings a strong record of supporting shareholder value as well as deep experience of customer-focused, high-growth platform businesses and a proven commitment to high standards of corporate governance. I am confident that Marieke will provide the Group with the expertise and leadership needed as we continue to execute on our strategic roadmap".

Marieke Bax commented:

"I am delighted to join the Hostelworld Board as a Non-Executive Director and as its Chair from 31 March next, and I look forward to working with the Board and the management team to deliver on the exciting strategy announced in April 2025. The additional capabilities delivered during 2025, together with the Group's uniquely differentiated position as a social travel platform, I believe will provide a strong foundation for achieving the Group's next phase of growth and delivering value for its shareholders and other stakeholders."

On appointment, Marieke will be a member of both the Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee. With effect from 31 March 2026, Carl G. Shepherd will step down from his roles as Interim Chair and Interim Chair of the Nomination Committee and will resume his previous roles as Senior Independent Director and member of the Audit Committee. With effect from 31 March 2026, Marieke will become Chair of the Nomination Committee.

This announcement is made in accordance with Rules 6.1.5 to 6.1.7 of Euronext Dublin's Listing Rules and Rules 6.4.6 to 6.4.8 of the UK Listing Rules. The Group confirms that there are no other matters requiring disclosure under Rule 6.1.7 of Euronext Dublin's Listing Rules/Rule 6.4.8 of the UK Listing Rules.