Alan Henderson who has served as Chairman since the Company’s incorporation in late 2011 and is retiring at the end of this year, therefore Francis Gugen will take over as Chairman as of 1st January 2018. This appointment, including the changes made to the board of directors, reflects the Company’s continued evolution as it prepares for its pivotal clinical trial.
Francis has a proven track record in establishing, building and chairing successful businesses including: CH4 Limited, realising investors €224m or 7.4 times their investment in just over 3 years; and Chrysaor, now one of the largest North Sea producers valued at over $3bn.
Francis, who has served as a non-executive director at Smart Matrix Limited (SML) since November 2011, will be stepping down from the role of Chairman at the Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT), the medical research charity, on 31 December 2017. RAFT, under Francis’ leadership, founded SML in late 2011 as an independent company to commercialise products based on its proprietary regenerative medicine platform.
Further changes to the board include the stepping down of Dr Dai Chaplin, Ms Katrin Buckenmaier and Mr José-Luis Diaz Sanchez as non-executive directors, positions each has held since the Company’s incorporation.
Dr Lilian Hook, Chief Scientific Officer of SML, will be joining the board with effect from 1 May 2017.
Lilian oversees Smart Matrix product development and RAFT’s research programme. She has 20 years’ experience in biomedical research, in both industry and academia and earned her PhD in Development Biology from the University of Edinburgh. Lilian has a Degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge. In previous roles, she has focused primarily on the application of stem cells and regenerative medicine. Lilian joined the SML team in 2014.
Alan Henderson, Chairman of SML, said:
“The changes we are announcing today will ensure that the board is best structured to support the executive team in the delivery of our strategy and help ensure that SML achieves its full potential. I am delighted that Francis has agreed to step into the role of Chairman on my retirement at the end of 2017. I also welcome Lilian Hook, our Chief Scientific Officer, to the board at an exciting stage in the development of SML and finally, I would like to extend my thanks to each of the non-executive directors who are stepping down for their valued input over the course of the last five years.”
Francis, Chairman Designate, commented: “I am delighted to be taking over the role of Chairman at SML as the Company prepares to embark on its pivotal clinical trial of Smart Matrix in surgical wounds. The timing of this announcement will ensure an orderly transition for both organisations. I look forward to building upon the foundations laid under Alan’s leadership.”
Andy Hill, Chief Executive Officer, added: “The changes we have announced today reassert the board’s commitment to ensuring that Smart Matrix Limited achieves its potential in redefining wound care for patients undergoing surgery.”
