Last checked at 12 Nov 2010 07:00
12 November 2010
Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc
("AMS" or the "Company")
Board Changes
Winsford, UK: Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (AIM: AMS.L), the global medical technology company, today announces changes to its Board of Directors (the "Board") that will take effect from 1 January 2011.
Chris Meredith, who was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in January 2010, is appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Chris joined AMS in July 2005 as Group Commercial Director and was appointed Managing Director of Advanced Woundcare in 2008. Having been involved in the operational side of the business for over five years, the Board is confident that Chris is ably equipped to fulfil his new role.
Dr. Don Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 2000, has indicated that he would like to step back from the day-to-day running of the business. The Board has considered a number of options and the non-conflicted members of the Board believe that the appointment of Don as Non-Executive Chairman is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and ensures that AMS continues to benefit from Don's extensive knowledge and experience of the business and the global medical devices market.
Dr. Geoffrey Vernon, who has served as a Non-Executive Director since July 1998 and Non-Executive Chairman of the Company since January 2001, will retire from the Board at the end of 2010. During his tenure, the Company has demonstrated strong, stable growth and has established itself as a competitive player in the global medical technology industry.
Penny Freer, Senior Independent Director of AMS said:
"The Board has fully deliberated these changes and the continuing Directors believe they are in the best interests of both the Company and its shareholders. We wish Chris and Don all the best in their new respective roles and, on behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Geoffrey for his input and guidance in helping make AMS the successful company that it is today. We wish him all the best for the future."
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For further enquiries:
Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc +44 (0) 1606 545 508
Penny Freer, Senior Independent Director
Steve Bellamy, Non-Executive Director
Mary Tavener, Finance Director
Tavistock Communications +44 (0) 20 7920 3150
John West / Chris Munden / Andrew Dunn / Lydia Eades
Investec Bank plc +44 (0) 20 7597 5970
Gary Clarence / Patrick Robb / Daniel Adams
Notes to Editors:
AMS advanced woundcare products are based on an extensive range of technologies including alginates, silver alginates and hydrophilic polyurethane foams. These and other products pioneer the concept of moist wound healing, allowing wounds to heal faster and with less pain and scarring. They protect the wound, deal with tissue fluids and provide an optimal environment for healing to occur. Silver is widely recognised as a safe and effective broad-spectrum anti-microbial agent for infection control.
AMS wound closure and sealants products are based on cyanoacrylate adhesive ("superglue") technology developed for medical applications. Tissue adhesives offer significant benefits over conventional ways of closing wounds following trauma or surgical incision. They are simple to use, non-invasive, help to reduce the risk of infection, minimise trauma to the patient and provide good clinical and cosmetic outcomes. The technology is also ideally suited to protecting skin from breakdown or for use as a skin sealant to help prevent infection of surgical sites.
AMS employs 240 people in three locations (Winsford, Plymouth and the Netherlands). The business has an experienced management team, whose stated aim is to grow the business both organically and by exploring selective acquisition opportunities. The Board has announced its intention to recommend a maiden dividend for the year ended 31st December 2010.