Listed investment company Intuitive Investments Group (IIG) has announced that its current chief investment officer Giles Willits will step up to become CEO.
The move comes as Robert Naylor steps down from the position to focus on his role as lead fund manager at the recently launched Achilles Investment Company Limited.
During his tenure, Naylor oversaw a strategic transformation of IIG, including the landmark investment in Hui10, which has grown to become the leading digital transformation of China’s lottery industry since the Manchester-based firm’s investment in October 2023.
Because of this progress, IIG, which is focused on high-growth opportunities in the technology and life sciences sectors, is exploring the options to move from the specialist fund segment of the London Stock Exchange to an official listing on the main market.
New CEO Willits brings extensive experience in corporate leadership and business transformation, having served as group CFO at Entertainment One, where he led its transition from an AIM to a FTSE 250 business, with its eventual sale for over $4bn in 2019.
Prior to that, he worked as a director of group finance at retail giants Woolworths and Sainsbury’s, and he is now the treasurer of the University of Nottingham.
Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of IIG, said: “The board are excited to explore this next step in its strategic ambitions and are delighted that Giles will take on the role of CEO to help drive the transition.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Robert for his hard work as CEO of IIG. We wish him every success in his new venture.”