Mercia Asset Regulatory News (MERC)

Mercia Technologies PLC

("Mercia" or the "Company")

Board Appointment

Mercia Technologies PLC (AIM: MERC), the national investment group focused on the creation, identification, funding and scaling of innovative technology businesses with high growth potential from the UK regions, announces that Dr Jonathan Pell has been appointed as a Non-executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee.

Jonathan brings extensive experience in the technology sector, originally in both finance director and chief executive roles and latterly in investing in and helping to scale-up technology ventures. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant at PwC, Jonathan gained significant executive experience firstly in senior finance positions at Convergys Corporation (NYSE - CVG), Geneva Technology Ltd, Thomas Cook Retail Ltd and Semitool Inc. Jonathan then became CEO at Datanomic Ltd, where he oversaw a twenty-fold increase in the company's global customer base and compound revenue growth of 105% over a four year period, before being purchased by Oracle Inc (NYSE - ORCL) in 2011. Since leaving Oracle Inc in 2012, Jonathan has founded his own early-stage technology investment vehicle, Thorium Technology Investors and currently sits on the boards of a number of young technology businesses.

Jonathan also has a wealth of experience acting as an investment adviser to high-growth technology businesses including Envolve Technology, W2 Global Data Solutions, Linkdex, Cloudfind, makepositive, and eYeka.

Susan Searle, Non-executive Chair of Mercia Technologies PLC said: 

"On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to Mercia. His significant experience as a finance director, CEO, adviser to and investor in high-growth technology businesses will be invaluable as Mercia continues to strengthen its position as a leading provider of Complete Capital in the key regions of the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland."

Pursuant to Schedule 2 (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies, Jonathan David Pell (aged 50) has held the following directorships or partnerships in the past five years:

Current

· Hatch Homes Accelerator Ltd

· Envolve Technology Ltd

· W2 Global Data Solutions Ltd

· Cloudfind Ltd

· JVP Consultants Ltd

· Centralis Ltd*

Previous

· Ieso Digital Health Ltd

· Linkdex Ltd

· Make Positive Ltd

· eYeka SA

*Dr Jonathan Pell was appointed a director of Centralis Ltd on 1 June 2012. On 11 February 2016, Messrs Armstrong and Wright of FRP Advisory LLP were appointed as joint administrators of Centralis Ltd and, on 31 August 2016, as joint liquidators in connection with the creditors' voluntary liquidation of Centralis Ltd. A notice of progress report to 30 August 2017 and filed on 4 October 2017 indicated a shortfall to creditors.

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About Mercia Technologies PLC

Mercia is a national investment group focused on the funding and scaling of innovative technology businesses with high growth potential from the UK regions. Mercia benefits from 19 university partnerships and offices across the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland providing it with access to high quality, regional deal flow. Mercia Technologies PLC is quoted on AIM with the epic "MERC".

Mercia's 'Complete Capital Solution' initially nurtures businesses via its third-party funds (now with circa £350.0million under management following recent mandate wins) and then over time Mercia can provide further funding to its 'Emerging Stars' by deploying direct investment follow-on capital from its own balance sheet. Since its IPO in December 2014, Mercia has invested over £46.0million directly across its portfolio of 'Emerging Stars'.