Appointment of Non-executive Director

21 December 2015

Fastnet Equity plc

("Fastnet" or the "Company")

Appointment of Non-executive Director

In line with the Company's strategy to acquire companies or businesses in the healthcare sector, Fastnet (AIM: FAST, ESM: FOI) is pleased to announce the appointment, with immediate effect, of Mr. Harry Stratford as a Non-Executive Director.

Harry has over 40 years' experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has built two successful publicly listed pharmaceutical companies. Harry founded Shire Plc in 1986 and was CEO for almost a decade. The Company has grown from humble beginnings to be one of Europe's largest specialty pharmaceutical companies with a market cap of around $40 billion and its stock is a constituent of the FTSE100 index. Harry then went on to be founder, CEO and Executive Chairman of Prostrakan Plc, another International specialty pharmaceutical company, which was subsequently acquired by Kyowa Hakko Kirin of Japan in 2011.

Harry holds a BSc. in Chemistry from the University of London and was awarded an OBE in the 2007 New Year's Honours list for his contribution to the Scottish Life Sciences Industry.

Cathal Friel, Non-Executive Chairman, commented:

"We are delighted to welcome Harry to the Board as a Non-executive Director. We look forward to working with him as we investigate potential acquisition opportunities within the healthcare sector, where we expect his extensive knowledge and experience of the specialty and orphan drug pharmaceutical industry will be of particular value." 

For further information please contact:

Additional information:

The following information is disclosed pursuant to Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies:

Mr Harry Thomas Stratford, aged 67, is currently a director of:

· Consilient Health Limited

· Merrion Pharmaceuticals Plc

· Neurocentrx Limited

In the past five years, he has held directorships or partnerships at:

· Stratford HC Limited

He does not currently hold any ordinary shares in the Company.

There are no other disclosures required in relation to Rule 17 or paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules for Companies.