Ex-Lucozade boss to add fizz to Provexis

SPORTS nutrition drink developer Provexis has appointed industry big-hitter John Clarke to its board as a non-executive director.

The AIM company has recently moved to a new site in Nelson, Lancashire, where its subsidiary Science in Sport is based.

The 62-year-old had a long and successful career with consumer healthcare giant GlaxoSmithKline, and until last month was president of its Worldwide Consumer Healthcare business and was also a member of the corporate executive team.

Mr Clarke has extensive experience of the functional food and sports nutrition sectors, having worked at GSK for more than 35 years.

Under his leadership, GSK Consumer Healthcare was the fastest-growing business in the industry throughout the period, growing by 60% and reaching sales of £5bn despite recessionary environments in the majority of the business’ markets.

The business added £2bn in turnover from 2006. Mr Clarke was responsible for the Lucozade brand including strategy, innovation programme, portfolio and global expansion for 15 years from 1996 to 2011.

Mr Clarke commented: ” I believe the recently acquired Science in Sport brand has significant growth potential and I look forward to assisting the company in achieving its true potential.

“I am particularly impressed by the company’s scientific and regulatory expertise, which has underpinned the development of the Fruitflow® heart-health technology, and which will assist also in driving innovation for Science in Sport.”

Dawson Buck, chairman of Provexis, added: “John Clarke is recognised as an outstanding leader in the global consumer healthcare industry and I am therefore delighted that he has decided to join Provexis at this exciting stage in our development.

“His proven success and in-depth knowledge in the consumer healthcare and sports nutrition sectors will be an important factor as we take Provexis to its next level of development.”