News - New Non Executive Chairman Appointed

Accura the PLUS- quoted integrated veterinary pharmaceutical and diagnostics company today announced that Alan Reade has been appointed as Non-Executive Chairman.

Kevin Leech, who has been Chairman of Accura since the original PLUS listing commented: “I have seen the Company make great strides forward since I became Chairman, but it is now the right time for me to stand down from that role and work alongside the team as a Non Executive Director”.

Bernard Ross, CEO of Accura, commented “We are delighted that Alan is joining the board as Chairman. Alan brings a wealth of practical expertise in building a strong veterinary business and has already made a considerable contribution to the Company in his role as a consultant. We believe that his new role as Chairman will allow him to make an even greater impact on driving the Company forward. Alan’s proven track record in the animal health industry and specifically the companion animal business will be invaluable as we fully commercialise our veterinary diagnostics business and bring our lead pharmaceutical products to market over the next three years.”

Alan Reade is the owner of Global Strategy Expression Limited, a consulting and advisory services business in the life sciences industry. He is presently a member of the board of Tyratech Inc., and is also chairman of its remuneration  ommittee. From 2000 until his retirement in 2005, he served as executive chairman of Merial Limited, a leading animal health company and joint venture between Merck & Co. Inc. and Sanofi-Aventis S.A. Earlier in his career, Alan Reade was head of global integration at Aventis Crop Science S.A, where he was in charge of merger integration. Prior to this he was  the CEO of Rhone Poulenc Agro Inc. and a member of the global executive board at Rhone-Poulenc Agrochime S.A. He has previously been a director of Sygen International Plc and president of the International Federation for Animal Health, the global animal health association. He provides Accura with 30 years’ proven track record in leading technology driven  rganisations, implementing growth strategies and business integrations and restructurings following acquisitions.

Commenting on his appointment as Chairman, Alan said: “Since my involvement with Accura, we have been able to  focus on the veterinary market by the acquisition of a portfolio of specific veterinary diagnostics and the de-merger of the human health interests into Reform Pharma. As Accura is now a pure play veterinary pharmaceutical and diagnostics company it is now very appropriate for me to increase my input and help drive the business forward. This will be achieved through opening new business opportunities for the diagnostic products we are already selling and getting the new specific veterinary pharmaceutical products to market in the shortest possible time. There are very many effective human pharmaceuticals that are appropriate for companion animals such as dogs and cats. “I will now be working alongside the management team more closely, in my capacity as a Non-Executive Director, to develop the most effective routes to market; either through relationships with larger pharmaceutical sales and marketing organisations, or through Accura’s own sales resources.”

The Board would like to thank Kevin for his contribution as Chairman and look forward to him continuing to work with the new team in his capacity as a Non-Executive Director.

The Directors of Accura accept responsibility for this announcement.