24 February 2016, Abingdon, UK: OBN, the membership organisation supporting the UK’s innovative life sciences companies, announced today that it has appointed Sally Waterman as the new Chair of OBN with immediate effect. She succeeds David Laskow-Pooley who has stepped down after a total of eight successful years as Chair of OBN. David will continue as a non-executive director of OBN.
David’s initial tenure as a non-executive director and Chair of OBN began in 2003 and continued until 2007. He was then re-appointed in 2012 and has been the Chair of OBN until the present day.
Sally joined the Board of OBN as a non-executive director in January 2014. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Abzena plc having joined PolyTherics (part of the Abzena group) in October 2009 as Chief Operating Officer. Sally has more than 25 years’ experience in the life science industry in executive R&D and operational roles and has been actively involved in the evolution and growth of many small businesses.
David Laskow-Pooley said “I am delighted that Sally will be succeeding me as Chair. Her extensive experience of the life sciences sector, her significant Board experience and her personal qualities will be invaluable to OBN.”
“It has been a privilege and an honour to have been associated with OBN through such an exciting period of change and development within the industry. OBN continues to strongly support its members’ needs and looks forward to welcoming many more innovative companies in the ever changing life sciences scene,” he added.
Commenting on her appointment, Sally Waterman, said: “I have been a strong supporter of OBN throughout my career and it was a great pleasure to have been invited to join the Board in January 2014. I am delighted to be taking over as Chair of OBN as the organisation embarks on the next stage of its journey and positions itself to support an increasingly diverse range of companies deliver better health to patients.”
“On behalf of OBN and the Board I would like to thank David for the enormous contribution he has made to the development and success of OBN and wish him well with his future plans, both in the UK and USA. I look forward to working with John Harris, CEO of OBN, to help him and his team realise his vision for the organisation.”
ENDS
Contacts
OBN
John Harris, CEO, OBN
Tel: +44 (0)
Email: john.harris@obn.org.uk
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Sylvie Berrebi, Katja Stout
Tel: +44 (0)20 7638 9571
Email: Sylvie.Berrebi@citigatedr.co.uk, katja.stout@citigatedr.co.uk
About OBN
OBN is the Membership organisation supporting and bringing together the UK’s emerging life sciences companies, corporate partners and investors. Our 370-plus member companies are located across the Golden Triangle and beyond to Nottingham, Manchester and Scotland and benefit from our networking, partnering, purchasing, advising and advocacy activities. OBN is best known for its delivery of BioTrinity (April 25-27, 2016), Europe’s leading life sciences investment and biopartnering conference.
Further information about OBN’s tailored networking and partnering events, purchasing consortium, advice, consultancy services and advocacy activities is available on OBN’s website www.obn.org.uk
