ABCAM PLC Directorate Change (7499R)

TIDMABC

RNS Number : 7499R

ABCAM PLC

18 June 2018

18 June 2018

ABCAM PLC

Appointment of Chairman

Abcam plc ("Abcam" or "the Company", AIM: ABC), a global leader in the supply of life science research tools, is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Allen as non-executive Chairman with immediate effect.

Peter assumes the role of Chairman from Louise Patten, who has been serving as interim Chairman and will revert to a non-executive Director.

Peter has over 20 years' experience as an executive director, non-executive director and Chairman in a wide range of life science companies. He is currently non-executive Chairman of AIM-listed companies Clinigen plc, Advanced Medical Solutions plc and Diurnal Group plc, as well as privately owned Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited, and is also a non-executive director of privately owned Istesso Limited. From 1992-2004 Peter served as Chief Financial Officer of Celltech Group plc.

Louise Patten, Interim Chairman of Abcam and Interim Chairman of the Nomination Committee, said: "Following a thorough process, the Board was unanimous in their view that Peter is the right candidate to chair Abcam. We are confident that his wide business experience, his industry knowledge and his personal qualities will enable him to make a significant contribution to the future of the Company."

Peter Allen commented: "I am looking forward to taking on the role of Chairman and am delighted to have the opportunity to help take Abcam to the next stage in its development and growth. I look forward to working with Alan Hirzel, his executive team and the Board in implementing the Company's strategic vision and building on its position as global leader in the sale of research reagents to deliver continued long term, profitable growth."

Following the appointment of Peter Allen, Louise Patten has resumed her position as Senior Independent Director, which had been performed by Mara Aspinall on an interim basis during the search process.

The process to appoint Peter Allen was led by Louise Patten, Interim Chairman. The Nomination Committee appointed the leading executive search and board advisory consulting firm Lygon Group to conduct the search for a new Chairman. An extensive search was conducted and a shortlist of candidates was agreed before interviews were conducted.

The Board considers Peter to be independent, as defined by Code Provision B.1.2 of the UK Corporate Governance Code. Peter does not currently have any interests in Abcam shares.

The composition of each of the Board Committees has also been amended and is confirmed as follows:

 
 Board Committee            Membership 
 Nomination Committee       Peter Allen (Chairman) 
                             Louise Patten 
                             Sue Harris 
                             Mara Aspinall 
                           ========================= 
 Remuneration Committee     Louise Patten (Chairman) 
                             Peter Allen 
                             Sue Harris 
                             Mara Aspinall 
                           ========================= 
 Audit and Risk Committee   Sue Harris (Chairman) 
                             Peter Allen 
                             Louise Patten 
                           ========================= 
 

AIM Rules disclosures

Peter Vance Allen (age 62) holds or has held directorships in the five years preceding his appointment at Abcam as follows:

 
 Current directorships            Previous Directorships 
 Diurnal Group plc                Future plc 
                                 ============================= 
 Advanced Medical Solutions plc   ProStrakan Group plc 
                                 ============================= 
 Clinigen plc                     Chroma Therapeutics Ltd 
                                 ============================= 
 Oxford Nanopore Technologies     Proximagen Neurosciences plc 
  Ltd 
                                 ============================= 
 Istesso Ltd                      Mecom plc 
                                 ============================= 
                                  Scancell plc 
                                 ============================= 
 

Save as disclosed above there are no additional disclosures to be made in accordance with Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules.

For further information, please contact:

Abcam

+ 44 (0) 1223 696 000

Suzanne Smith, Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary

James Staveley, VP, Investor Relations

J.P. Morgan Cazenove - Nominated Advisor & Corporate Broker

+ 44 (0) 20 7742 4000

James Mitford

FTI Consulting

+ 44 (0) 20 3727 1000

Ben Atwell / Brett Pollard / Natalie Garland-Collins

About Abcam plc

As an innovator in reagents and tools, Abcam's purpose is to serve life science researchers globally to achieve their mission, faster. Providing the research and clinical communities with tools and scientific support, the Company offers highly validated biological binders and assays to address important targets in critical biological pathways.

Already a pioneer in data sharing and ecommerce in the life sciences, Abcam's ambition is to be the most influential company in life sciences by helping advance global understanding of biology and causes of disease, which, in turn, will drive new treatments and improved health. Two-thirds of the world's 750,000 life science researchers use Abcam's affinity binders, reagents, biomarkers and assays and the Company's products are mentioned in over 20,000 of the c.56,000 peer-reviewed papers published each year in the life sciences.

By actively listening to and collaborating with researchers, the Company continuously advances its portfolio to address their needs. A transparent programme of customer reviews and datasheets, combined with an industry-leading validation initiative, gives researchers increased confidence in their results.

Abcam's eleven locations are in the world's leading life science research hubs, enabling local services and multi-language support. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, the Company sells to more than 130 countries. Abcam was admitted to AIM in 2005 (AIM: ABC).

To find out more, please visit www.abcam.com and www.abcamplc.com

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June 18, 2018 09:54 ET (13:54 GMT)