Haydale (AIM:HAYD), the global nanomaterials group, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Banks as Non-Executive Chairman with immediate effect. David is replacing John Knowles, who as previously announced, had decided to retire and has stepped down as the Group’s Non-Executive Chairman.
David Banks is a senior executive Investment Banker with over 30 years’ experience in advising companies. He joins Haydale from Cantor Fitzgerald Europe, where he held the position of Managing Director in Corporate Broking. David brings a wealth of capital markets experience to Haydale, having held senior positions at Dawnay Day, Durlacher, Arbuthnot Securities and Panmure Gordon & Co prior to his role at Cantor Fitzgerald Europe.
David has considerable sector experience, having represented clients in the automotive, engineering, industrials and high-technology sectors. David specialises in analysing small to mid-cap companies and helping them communicate and realise their potential as well as ensuring they uphold the highest standards of corporate governance. Furthermore, he is well versed in applying his financial knowledge to early stage companies to direct their financial growth, which is of particular benefit to Haydale as the Group has changed from being an R&D focused business to a commercial entity. David will be eligible to participate in the Company’s share option scheme.
David Banks, Non-Executive Chairman of Haydale, said: “I am really pleased to have joined Haydale today as their new Chairman. Given my background in investment banking, I fully appreciate the importance for growth companies to clearly communicate their investment story not only to their current investor base but also to potential investors who can help facilitate the growth of the company.
I am already very close to the Haydale story and as such, I am really excited at the prospect of applying my expertise to a business which is already commercialising nanomaterials for the benefit of global industry.”
Commenting on the appointment, Ray Gibbs, CEO of Haydale, said: “We are delighted to welcome David to our Board. He has significant experience at a senior level within the City and, together with his considerable industrial connections, he will undoubtedly be of great added value to Haydale. Having acted as our corporate broker, David knows the business and its shareholders extremely well and we are looking forward to David’s counsel as we transition to a sales-driven global advanced materials business. We will benefit from his knowledge and experience in helping commercialise our business further whilst generating value for our shareholders.
The Board would also like to extend our sincere thanks to John Knowles for his significant contribution to the Group and its shareholders over the last three years. As our Chairman, John has been instrumental to Haydale’s growth since our AIM listing in 2014. We wish him a long and very happy retirement.”
