Appointments: McDonnell appointed ACC Liverpool chair; Non-exec for Nanoco; Moneysupermarket man gets CIO role at Hut
DAVID McDonnell, the High Sheriff of Merseyside and former Grant Thornton chief executive, has been appointed chairman of the Arena and Convention Centre in Liverpool.
The Liverpool-born chartered accountant has previously served as chairman of the Merseyside Society for Deaf People, chairman of National Museums Liverpool and is also president of the council of the University of Liverpool.
Mr McDonnell said: “Since ACC Liverpool opened its doors, it has played a vital role in the regeneration of the city and provided a huge boost to the economy and I will be looking to support and advise on its continued success.”
Bob Prattey, ACC chief executive, added: “David’s wealth of experience and strong professional credentials alongside his clear commitment to and understanding of the city of Liverpool are a welcome addition to our board.”
ACC Liverpool Ltd is owned by Liverpool City Council and operates the Arena and Convention Centre facilities on the council’s behalf. The company has its own board of directors, populated by both Liverpool City Council representatives and independent non-executive directors.
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NANOCO, the Manchester University spin-out which floated on AIM earlier this year, has appointed Anthony Clinch as a non-executive director.
The company manufactures quantum dots – tiny fluorescent particles of semiconductor material which have the ability to emit light. The dots can be used in products such as LCD TVs, mobile displays and solar panels and are in demand because they reduce power consumption.
Mr Clinch, 62, spent his early career with Rolls Royce before moving into corporate banking and private equity.
He is currently a senior adviser to CVC Capital Partners, a private equity house which he has served in various roles since 1987. He is also a non-executive director of Taminco, a leading international manufacturer of alkylamines and derivatives.
Peter Rowley, Nanoco’s chairman, said: “I am delighted to welcome Tony to Nanoco’s board as an independent non-executive director. His breadth of experience of international industrial businesses will be of great value in the future development of Nanoco.”
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ONLINE entertainment retailer Hut Group has appointed Gareth James, the former IT boss of Moneysupermarket, as chief information officer.
Mr James led a team of more than 100 IT staff at Moneysupermarket.com and Travelsupermarket.com, where he was responsible for all IT design, and was appointed to the company’s leadership team during its listing in 2007.
Matthew Moulding, chief executive of The Hut Group, said: “I’m delighted that Gareth has joined the board; his immense experience within online business will help facilitate the delivery of our growth strategies which are powered by our in-house technology.”
