Open Orphan plc announced the appointment of Stephen Pinkerton as Chief Financial Officer and as an Executive Director, effective with immediate effect. Stephen will succeed Leo Toole who steps down from the Board and CFO role to pursue other interests. Leo will remain with the Company until 31 December 2022.

Stephen is a chartered accountant with over 25 years of experience in senior financial roles and has served as Commercial Financial Director of hVIVO since July 2017, having previously been a consultant to the Company. Prior to joining hVIVO, Stephen spent 11 years in various senior financial roles at Thomson Reuters. He will be based in the Company's Plumbers Row headquarters in East London alongside the Company's CEO Yamin 'Mo' Khan.

Stephen has a strong background in financial planning and analysis, commercial finance, financial systems and financial control. Following the appointment of Yamin 'Mo' Khan as CEO on 24 February 2022, Cathal Friel is reverting to Non-Executive Chairman. Cathal remains fully committed to the business and will continue to work closely with Mo and Stephen going forward with particular focus on strategic initiatives for the Company.

Stephen was a Director at HB: Source Limited from 24 January 2005 to 11 June 2010. Prior to his appointment, HB: Source Limited was pursuing a Company Voluntary Arrangement and Stephen was appointed to support HB: Source Limited through the CVA. HB: Source Limited was unable to fulfil its obligations under the terms of the CVA and ultimately entered into a creditors voluntary liquidation on 8 December 2008.