Just three months after he was appointed as executive director of manufacturing services at Ark Therapeutics Group, David Venables will take over as chief executive on 1 August.
Since joining the board in April, Venables has focused on the development of Ark’s viral development and manufacturing capabilities in Kuopio, Finland. He has put in place a clear plan to build a sustainable revenue-generating business using Ark’s proprietary science base.
Martyn Williams, who joined the company in October 1998 as finance director and became ceo in mid 2010, will hand over to Venables and leave on 31 July. Ark says Williams has led a significant transformation of the business over the last two years.
Iain Ross, chairman of Ark, said: ‘I am delighted that we were able to attract David to Ark earlier in the year and I am confident that under his leadership we will build a world-leading development and viral manufacturing services business. In addition, I want to thank Martyn personally and on behalf of the board for his contribution and support over the last 2 years, and wish him well in the future.’