Appointments: New chairman for SmartKem; Downing hires surveyor; and more
SMARTKEM has appointed Bill Freer as its chairman.
The company, which is based at the Optic Technium facility at St Asaph in North Wales, is developing high performance, printable electronics screens.
It said that Mr Freer’s experience both in the global display and seniconductor industries and in working with venture capital-backed start-ups meant his was “perfectly suited” to guide the company’s growth.
Mr Freer has also developed relationships with major electronics manufacturers in Asian markets – a key target for SmartKem – where he managed the turnaround of an ailing LCD organisation in Hong Kong into a profitable business with a 33% share of its market.
Steve Kelly, CEO at SmartKem, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Bill to the team.
“We made the decision to appoint Bill as his second-to-none industry experience in the international displays market, combined with the networks he has built up over the years in our desired regions mean Bill will bring invaluable knowledge to the company.
“We are confident that Bill will fit in with SmartKem’s strategy seamlessly and help reinforce our position industry-wide, whilst his strong connections in the venture capital market will provide us with a platform for further growth and investment.”
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PROPERTY group Downing has appointed Kate Morris as property management surveyor.
Morris joins Liverpool-based Downing after five years at Wild Commercial Property in Chester, where she specialised in retail and office space. She will look after a range of commercial property in Liverpool, including the Grade II*-listed Port of Liverpool building.
John Clegg, head of property management at Downing, said: “Downing is committed to providing the highest quality commercial property both through ongoing refurbishment and by finding the best staff to manage our portfolio.
“We’re pleased to welcome Kate to Downing – with her extensive experience of the industry I have no doubt that she will be a real asset to our customers and to the commercial property team.”
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COMMERCIAL property agency Hitchcock Wright & Partners has promoted retail specialist Matt Kerrigan from associate to salaried partner in the firm’s Liverpool office.
Kerrigan joined in September 2004 as a graduate surveyor, progressing to associate partner in May 2010.
Specialising in retail property, he focuses on landlord and tenant, and agency work on all properties across the North West.
Eric Wright, founding partner of Hitchcock Wright & Partners said: “After Matt joined us straight from university as graduate surveyor, it became apparent early on that he had the expertise, personality and motivation to become a partner in the firm.
“I am delighted that he has fulfilled this early potential by working hard and showing great loyalty to our business and to our clients.”
