Synthomer plc announced the appointment of Peter Hill CBE as an independent non-executive director and chair designate with effect from 1 September 2024. Following an induction and handover period, Caroline Johnstone will stand down from the board, with Peter succeeding her as chair, on 1 January 2025. Peter brings to Synthomer strong public company governance and international manufacturing experience in a range of industries.

Peter has served as non-executive chair of Keller Group plc since 2016, a role from which he will step down during the first half of 2025, having served approximately nine years. Previously Peter was non-executive chair of Petra Diamonds Limited (2020-2023), Volution Group plc (2014-2020), Imagination Technologies plc (February 2017 until its sale in September 2017) and the speciality chemicals company Alent plc (2012-2015). He is currently non-executive chair of The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, a UK Government arm's length body sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Peter has also served as a non-executive director on the boards of Cookson Group plc, Meggitt plc, Essentra plc and Oxford Instruments plc, and in similar roles for UK Trade and Investment and the Royal Air Force. He was chief executive officer of Laird plc from 2002 to late 2011, transforming it from an industrial conglomerate into a focused electronics and technology company. He previously held senior management roles at BTR plc and Invensys plc, and was an executive director on the board of Costain Group plc.

Peter's early career was spent with natural resources companies Anglo American, Rio Tinto and BP Minerals. He holds a BSc in engineering, an MBA from the London The Honourable Alexander Catto has advised the board of his intention to step down as a director by the Group's next Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2025. As a non-independent, non-executive director of the Group, he has served as representative of its founding family and significant shareholders since 1981.

More recently, he has served as the designated non-executive director leading workforce engagement. The Group announced the appointment of Uwe Halder to the board with effect from 1 September 2024. Uwe is chief executive officer of KLK OLEO Europe, part of the global oleochemical and manufacturing division of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK), which is Synthomer's large shareholder (with 27% of the issued share capital).

Uwe's entire career has been in the global chemicals industry. He has worked in the USA at BASF and as president of DyStar USA, and in Europe at CHT/BEZEMA and Archroma before joining a business acquired by KLK OLEO. As a nominee of KLK, Uwe will be a non-independent, non-executive director upon appointment.

The changes announced reflect the board's long-term succession planning agenda which will continue to evolve to reflect the Group's strategy, skills and experience needs and compliance with Corporate Governance Code principles.