Cambridge Cognition Holdings plc, which makes digital health products to advance brain health research and treatment, has announced a series of leadership changes.
Joint managing director Alex Livingstone-Learmonth (pictured) will leave the company in the new year to pursue new opportunities, with his fellow joint MD Rob Baker named CEO.
The pair had taken over leadership of the firm when previous CEO Dr Matthew Stork left in late 2024. Livingstone-Learmonth oversaw chief commercial officer responsibilities, while Baker performed a more operational role.
Prior to joining Cambridge Cognition Holdings, Baker held several senior roles at Amazon including leading large operational teams to scale Alexa voice technology improvements and its privacy and security operations. He was also responsible for regional Amazon Echo device sales.
Baker, who began his career at Siemens, was recently appointed to the Cambridge Cognition Holdings board. He joined the firm in 2022 as head of product before successive promotions.
Dr Steven Powell, who will retire as non-executive chair of the board at the next annual general meeting, will be succeeded in the role by non-exec director Nick Rodgers.
Rodgers is an adviser to gene therapy company Santo Therapeutics and was until May 2024 chair of SEHTA, a health technology membership and networking organisation supporting businesses in the HealthTech sector.
He has also served as chair of Destiny Pharma plc, a developer of novel anti-infective products; ZPN Energy Limited, a developer of battery storage technologies and systems; and Oxford BioMedica plc, a pioneer of gene and cell therapy.
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Ronald Openshaw, who has served as CFO and head of corporate development, has now joined the board. He has served as a consultant to the business, advising on strategic matters, since 2022. In August 2024 he took over interim leadership of the company’s finance function.
Openshaw began his career at KPMG before becoming a senior healthcare investment banker at both Jefferies and Panmure Gordon. He has served as CEO and/or CFO of several companies including Simbec-Orion, a clinical research organisation; Plethora Solutions, a speciality pharmaceutical company; and Pharmagene/Asterand, a pioneer in the use of human tissue in drug discovery and development.
He has also advised numerous other companies in the life science and healthcare sector on strategy, operational delivery and acquisitions and disposals.
The company expects to recruit a new, additional non-executive director to the board.
“We are pleased to announce these changes to the board of directors as the company continues to advance its growth and development,” said Dr Powell.
“Following the leadership changes introduced in autumn 2024, Rob has demonstrated strong leadership qualities and we are excited to support his appointment as CEO.
“Ronald joining the board is a natural and welcome progression having supported the company for several years.
“I am pleased that Nick has become chair designate, bringing his many years of board expertise and governance knowledge.”