Netcall plc gives an update on the Board succession planning it is implementing to ensure continued, effective leadership of the Company. This results in changes to roles for certain Board members along with the recruitment of a new Chief Financial Officer and Non-Executive Director. Following 20 years leading the business, Henrik Bang, CEO, will move to Non-Executive Chair of the Board on 1 January 2024, at which time the current Chair, Michael Jackson, will continue on the Board as a Non-Executive Director and will chair the Remuneration Committee. The Current Group Finance Director, James Ormondroyd, will become Chief Executive Officer of Netcall on that date.
amer Ozmen, Non-Executive Director, has advised the Board that due to other business commitments, he does not wish to stand for re-election and consequently is not putting himself forward for re-election at this year's AGM. As previously announced, Michael Neville, Non-Executive Director, had earlier advised the Board that he intended to step down following the recruitment of a new independent Non-Executive Director. With this appointment now confirmed, Michael Neville will step down on 29 February 2024. Having completed a comprehensive selection process, Richard Hughes will join the Company as Chief Financial Officer on 27 November 2023. In addition, Nigel Halkes will join the Company as Non-Executive Director on1 December 2023. Both will be co-opted to the Board subsequent to the AGM on 19 December 2023. During his tenure as CEO of Netcall, Henrik has led the transformation of the business from a single technology product company, servicing a niche market to a predominately cloud business with a comprehensive digital platform and broad customer base. This has been achieved through a combination of organic growth execution and transformative M&A transactions. This move to Non-Executive Chair has been carefully considered by the Board and whilst it acknowledges that the appointment of the CEO into the role of the Chair is not in line with UK corporate governance guidelines, the Board was unanimous that Henrik's deep knowledge of the business, culture and its markets make him the ideal candidate to perform the role of Chair of the Board, supporting the interests of all stakeholders going forward. In James' 13 years with Netcall he has overseen the Group's cloud transition and implementation of its disciplined business model. With his deep understanding of the business, its evolution and market opportunity, the Board believes James is the right person to lead the business successfully through the next stage of its growth. The incoming Chief Financial Officer, Richard Hughes, has extensive experience in commercial finance, financial control, accounting, reporting, compliance and governance across UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America and the US gained through his roles at Proactis Holdings PLC, ARRIS International plc and Pace plc. Nigel Halkes is an experienced AIM Non-Executive Director and will also take on the role of Chair of the Audit Committee. Nigel is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, qualifying with EY. He spent 35 years at EY and retired as Managing Partner, UK and Ireland markets in 2013. Between 1995 and 2003 Nigel was EY's National Industry Leader for Technology, Media & Telecoms.