The CEO of SkinBioTherapeutics plc has resigned over ‘matters relating to his conduct’.
Stuart Ashman was suspended by the listed Newcastle firm’s board prior to the resignation and it has promised a full investigation.
The life science HealthTech, which is focused on skin heath, said non-executive chair Martin Hunt will temporarily become executive chair.
“He will be supported by the rest of the board and leadership team to provide business leadership and continuity,” SkinBioTherapeutics said in a notice to the London Stock Exchange.
“The company has instigated a search to find an interim CEO to appoint as soon as possible, and to find a new, permanent CEO for the longer term.”
Ashman was appointed in 2024, succeeding Professor Cath O’Neill, with over two decades of commercial healthcare experience – primarily in the medical devices industry.
Since 2014, he had served as CEO of Onbone, a Finnish private equity-backed medical device company. Prior to that, Ashman was president and CEO of Andover Healthcare, a US-based wound management manufacturer and president and CEO of TI Group, a UK-based medical/engineering company.
Last year the company welcomed a new COO and board member in Simon Hewitson, a former CEO of Polar Krush Group.
Emily Bertram was also appointed as the group’s finance director in a non-board capacity following the departure of Manprit Randhawa.
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