Bytes Technology Group plc has announced that Patrick De Smedt will step down from his role as chair of the board by 30th September 2026.

He has served as chair since the company’s listing in 2020 and wishes to devote more time to other professional and personal interests.

Gavin Rochussen has been appointed as an independent non-executive director and chair-designate, with effect from 10th July 2026.

Bytes, a software, security, AI and cloud services specialist, said Tapiwa Ngara will also join the board as a NED this month.

Shares in Bytes are up in the year to date despite the recent departure of its MD Jack Watson, who left ‘by mutual consent’ and won’t be replaced. However it has lost 25% of its value in the last 12 months.

It has been a turbulent two years for the firm, which in 2024 began investigating the shock resignation of its former CEO Neil Murphy after he was accused of unauthorised trading in the company’s shares.

The investigation ultimately found 119 unauthorised transactions on 66 trading days between January 2021 and November 2023 which sent the London-listed stock plummeting.

The firm rebounded under new CEO Sam Mudd, but dropped again after disappointing trading updates.