Life science HealthTech SkinBioTherapeutics plc has announced proposed changes to its board and leadership team.
Former Polar Krush Group CEO Simon Hewitson has been appointed as COO of the Newcastle-based firm and will also join the board.
Emily Bertram, who most recently held the role of group head of financial planning and analysis at Azets, has been appointed as the group’s finance director in a non-board capacity.
She will assume responsibility for financial control and reporting, succeeding Manprit Randhawa, who is stepping down as CFO to pursue other business interests.
Experienced chartered accountant and new COO Hewitson has a strong background in corporate finance as well as financial and commercial skills.
He has worked for a number of different companies in CEO, CFO and director roles for over 25 years, having managed specific transactions, including management buy outs (MBOs), acquisitions, disposals or integration into other companies.
His other previous roles include working as a corporate financier within the Williams Ali Corporate Finance firm and financial director at Mill North East, where he advised on its MBO from Inchcape plc and its subsequent sale to Stoneacre Group.
Bertram, also a chartered accountant, has led and worked within finance teams in a variety of industries.
She has previously spent a brief period of time at SkinBioTherapeutics, where she was responsible for the whole finance function under Manprit Randhawa.
Prior to this, she held senior finance positions at THF Holdings, Leica Biosystems, Quantum Pharma, Northumbria University, Alta Link and Northern Rock.
“The group’s needs have changed substantially over the past 18 months with an active M&A strategy and the successful launch of the Croda Zenakine (SkinBiotix) active ingredient,” said Martin Hunt, chair of SkinBioTherapeutics.
“As a result of which, we identified a need to strengthen the board and leadership team, especially the support required by Stuart to drive the group’s growth further. We have been very fortunate to have found two excellent new team members in Simon and Emily, and on behalf of the board, we thank Manprit for his work as CFO and wish him well in the future.
“Simon has extensive corporate finance experience in M&A and the operational management following the deals to ensure they succeeded. He will provide Stuart with valuable support, especially in the day-to-day operations of the expanded group, and will bring additional financial and investor relations experience to the board.
“We are also delighted to have Emily returning to us as our finance director. Emily has a good knowledge of SkinBioTherapeutics’ financial systems having worked in the finance team previously, and she is a very safe and experienced pair of hands having worked across multiple industries. We welcome her back in her new elevated role as group FD.”
The firm, which specialises in skin health, currently has a share price of 25p and a market cap of £58.19m.
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