Last checked at 22 May 2018 07:00
Versarien plc
("Versarien" or the "Company")
Appointment of senior DIT secondee
Versarien plc (AIM: VRS), the advanced materials engineering group, is pleased to announce that Matt Walker, Head of Outward Direct Investment at the UK Government's Department for International Trade ("DIT") has joined Versarien on a secondment for a minimum of 12 months. During this period he will work exclusively for Versarien and will be Head of International Strategy and Government Relations.
Since the DIT's creation on 13 July 2016, the Secretary of State for International Trade has been clear that the DIT should support UK businesses with their overseas investments and has named this as one of the department's priorities. A key reason for this is because academic research suggests that companies who invest and/or export overseas are more profitable. More profitable UK companies are, therefore, extremely valuable to improving and benefitting the overall UK economy.
The DIT has recognised that Versarien is increasing its activities in international markets and that in order for Versarien to fulfil its ambitions in these markets and to ensure that it creates a robust and sustainable international investment strategy, it would benefit from further UK Government support, alongside private sector support.
The DIT therefore agreed to the secondment of Matt Walker to help progress Versarien's overseas investment ambitions, ensuring Versarien benefits from UK Government connectivity and UK Government benefits from the knowledge gained through seconding a senior resource into the private sector.
Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Matt Walker to Versarien. Matt will be key to ensuring the successful continued international expansion of Versarien and maintaining our special relationship with the UK Government.
"I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Department for International Trade for their continued support and in particular their faith in Versarien through seconding such a senior resource.
"The inclusion of Matt in our growing team enables us to focus on our plans for the international expansion of the Nanene Brand in multiple locations and regions, whilst still focussing on our current collaborations, which are progressing well, and additional projects we are discussing."
Enquiries:
Versarien Neill Ricketts, CEO Chris Leigh, CFO | 01242 269 122 |
Arden Partners (Nominated Adviser and Broker) Chris Hardie Dan Gee-Summons | 020 7614 5900 |
IFC Advisory (Financial PR and IR) Tim Metcalfe Graham Herring Heather Armstrong | 020 3934 6630 |
About Versarien
Versarien plc (AIM:VRS), is an advanced engineering materials group. Leveraging proprietary technology, the Group creates innovative engineering solutions for its clients in a diverse range of industries. Versarien has five subsidiaries operating under two divisions:
Graphene and Plastics
2-DTech Ltd, which specialises in the supply, characterisation and early stage development of graphene products. www.2-dtech.com
ACC Cyroma Ltd, which specialises in the supply of vacuum-formed and injection-moulded products to the automotive, construction, utilities and retail industry sectors. Using Versarien's existing graphene manufacturing capabilities, AAC will have the ability to produce graphene-enhanced plastic products. www.aaccyroma.co.uk
Cambridge Graphene Ltd, supplies novel inks based on graphene and related materials, using patented processes to develop graphene materials technology for licensing to manufacturers. www.cambridgegraphene.com
Thermal and Hard Wear Products
Versarien Technologies Ltd. has developed an additive process for creating advanced micro-porous metals targeting the thermal management industry and supplies extruded aluminium. www.versarien-technologies.co.uk
Total Carbide Ltd, a leading manufacturer in sintered tungsten carbide for applications in arduous environments such as the oil and gas industry. www.totalcarbide.com