NetScientific PLC (AIM:NSCI), which invests in, develops, and commercialises life sciences/healthcare, sustainability, and technology companies, has announced a strengthening of its board including the appointment of Ed Hooper as an executive director with immediate effect.
As announced on 19 May 2022, Hooper joined the company as General Counsel, Group Company Secretary, and Executive Director of EMV Capital Limited. He will continue in those roles in addition to his new role as a director of the company. Hooper joined the company from international law firm, Trowers & Hamlins LLP, where as a partner he was responsible for leading and developing its Corporate Finance team in London.
It also announced the appointment of Dr Jonathan Robinson as a non-executive director of the company, also with immediate effect, and said Clive Sparrow will resign as a non-executive director of the company with effect from 31 December 2022.
Dr Robinson will chair the company's Audit Committee and be a member of the Remuneration Committee and Nominations Committee. He is an experienced company director and entrepreneur with a focus on business development. Most recently he chaired the board of the international top-level domain registry operator, Afilias (until its sale in December 2020).
He previously co-founded the publicly quoted Group NBT PLC (formerly NetBenefit) which ultimately became NetNames Group. He was main board director and chief operating officer of the group, from 1999 until June 2009.
Commenting on the board changes, Dr Ilian Iliev, chief executive officer of the company said: "We are delighted to welcome Jonathan and Ed to the Board of NetScientific as we continue to execute on our growth strategy. Jonathan is an experienced entrepreneur and investor, operating at both public and private company levels, and we look forward to working with him on our Board and its committees. Ed has already made a substantial contribution to the Group since he joined us and we are extremely pleased to welcome him to the main Board Executive team. His presence will help us to scale our activities and drive the Group's strategy, growing shareholder value.
"I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Board and the Company, to thank Clive for his substantial contribution to our Board, including as Chair of our Audit Committee, over a number of years. We wish him every success for the future."
He added: "The Company's search for a new Chair continues to progress, with a senior recruitment agency mandated and a number of discussions being held with prospective candidates. We look forward to announcing the outcome of our search in due course."
In other matters, NetScientific also announced the exercise by its current non-executive chairman, John Clarkson, of options over 127,488 ordinary shares of 5p each in the capital of the company for an aggregate exercise price of £58,007.04; the grant to Dr Robinson of options over 45,801 ordinary shares; and the entry by the company into a director Co-Investment Framework Agreement with certain of its directors.