Sam Jones, WBF
The World BioProtection Forum (WBF) has announced that Sam Jones, Technical Manager at International Pheromone Systems (IPS) has joined the advisory board of the WBF to help drive the organisation’s activities and advance the bioprotection sector globally.
Wendy Hayward and Dean Horn, BCAS
The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has elected two new Board Directors, to strengthen its representation of small-to-medium compressed air distributor members. Wendy Hayward, MD of Aircare Compressor Services and Dean Horn, Sales Director at Wearside Pneumatics have joined the team, with a remit to help enhance the range of services and support provided to distributors.
Rob Walden, DLS
Chartered engineer Rob Walden has been appointed Director of the Diamond Light Source’s (DLS) recently revealed plans for a large upgrade, called ‘Diamond-II’. This significant improvement will maintain the DLS as a world-class synchrotron research facility and expand the UK’s science capabilities.
Izzy Sloan, Young Ambassador 2022 Award
The UK Chemical Industry Association (CIA) has presented its Young Ambassador 2022 award, sponsored by Scientific Update, to Izzy Sloan, a chemical engineering Degree Apprentice at GSK, Ulverston.
Chirfi Guindo, Merck
At Merck (also known as MSD), the new Chief Marketing Officer for Merck Human Health is Chirfi Guindo. He will help guide long-term strategy for the company’s vaccines and oncology pipeline, as well as joining Merck’s executive team. Guindo was previously EVP and Head of global product strategy and commercialisation at Biogen.
Clariant
At the AGM of Swiss multinational speciality chemicals company Clariant, Günter von Au was re-elected as Chairman of the Board. Ahmed Mohamed Alumar, Roberto César Gualdoni and Naveena Shastri were also voted on as Board members. Clariant has also announced changes to its leadership and organisational structure. Angela Cackovich is the newly appointed President of Adsorbents & Additives and the EMEA region. Jens Cuntze will become President of Catalysts and the Asia-Pacific region. Christian Vang is set to be President of Care Chemicals and the Americas region.
Sharon McGuinness, Cefic
Sharon McGuinness has been selected as the next Executive Director of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) replacing Bjorn Hansen who has retired. She is currently the CEO of the Irish Health & Safety Authority.
Larry Zhang, Elkem
Norwegian company Elkem, which specialises in silicones, silicon and alloys for the foundry industry, has named Larry Zhang as its new VP for Operations in Elkem’s Silicones division and Director of the Asia-Pacific region. He will be based in Shanghai, China.
Frank Stevens, Polygiene Group
Swedish antimicrobial technologies and odour control company Polygiene Group has recruited Frank Stevens to be its new COO.
Pete Kelly, BGMA
The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA), which represents the manufacturers of four out of five medicines used by the NHS, has elected Pete Kelly as its new Chair. He replaces Peter Ballard, who has completed his second tenure and will now serve a further year as Vice-Chair. A former Chair of the association’s Economic and Commercial group, Kelly is also the MD of pharmaceutical company Accord UK.
Samanta Cimitan, Celonic Group
Celonic Group, a Swiss-German CDMO, has appointed Samanta Cimitan as its Chief Business Officer. She will be responsible for sales, business development, marketing and program management.
Susanne Kaestner and Thea Boehm, ProBioGen
Berlin-based biopharma ProBioGen has filled two strategic positions: Susanne Kaestner joins the company as SVP Quality and member of the executive team, and Thea Boehm is the new VP Business Development.
Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, has received a British knighthood for services to UK life sciences and leadership in the global response to the COVID pandemic in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022.
Annaliesa Anderson, Pfizer
Following the retirement of Kathrin Jansen, Pfizer has named Annaliesa Anderson as its new SVP and head of the company’s vaccine R&D programme. Anderson joined Pfizer in 2007 as the Director of Bacterial Vaccines, ultimately becoming CSO of Bacterial Vaccines and Hospital, where she oversaw the development of the company’s slate of bacterial vaccine programmes, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and C. difficile. She also helped craft Pfizer’s FDA-approved COVID treatment, Paxlovid.
Stacey Ma, Gilead Sciences
US biopharma Gilead Sciences has appointed Stacey Ma as EVP Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing. She will become a member of the company’s senior leadership team, reporting to Chairman and CEO Daniel O’Day
Michael Severino, Tessera
US venture capital and bioplatform innovation company Flagship Pioneering and US biotech Tessera Therapeutics have announced that Michael Severino has joined Tessera as CEO. Severino, who was previously Vice Chairman and President of US biopharma AbbVie, will also serve as a Flagship Pioneering CEO-Partner.
Colin McCracken, Evonetix
Evonetix, the UK synthetic biology company bringing semiconductor technology to DNA synthesis, has named Colin McCracken as CEO. He will support the next phase of the company’s development and the commercialisation of its semiconductor-based DNA synthesis platform – the commercial introduction of a benchtop DNA printer.
Brian Branca and Marina Hong, Bayer
At Bayer, two changes to the US country leadership team have been announced. Brian Branca has been appointed to the position of Bayer US CFO and Marina Hong has been named SVP and head of US Human Resources.
Sophie Kornowski, Boston Pharmaceuticals
Clinical-stage biopharma Boston Pharmaceuticals has named Sophie Kornowski as Chair of its Board and acting CEO. She succeeds interim Co-CEOs Joanne Beck and Craig Basson, who will continue in their positions as COO and CMO, respectively.
Muna Bhanji, Intellia Therapeutics
US genome editing company Intellia Therapeutics, which focuses on developing potentially curative therapeutics with CRISPR-based technologies, has appointed Muna Bhanji to its Board.
Michael Goldstein, Aurion Biotech
US company Aurion Biotech, which works to restore vision with regenerative therapies, has appointed Michael Goldstein as President and CMO. He will lead the company’s clinical strategy, development and operations; its medical affairs; and the manufacturing and quality teams for its first product candidate, a cell therapy to treat corneal edema.
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