Appointments: New chairman for Biofortuna & more

WIRRAL-based molecular diagnostics company Biofortuna has appointed a new chairman to lead the next phase of growth.
 
Life sciences expert Ian Johnson will take on the role at Biofortuna with previous chairman Mark Hurley remaining on the board as a non-executive director.
 
Biofortuna specialises in proprietary freeze dried diagnostics and contract services. It recently announced a £1.5m funding round for the company to further develop its diagnostic assays and invest in its freeze drying production capability.
 
Johnson has spent his business career in life sciences. He was founder and chief executive of Biotrace International plc, a provider of rapid microbial testing systems and reagents, which was sold to 3M for $100m.

He is currently non-executive chairman of Celsis Group Ltd and Cyprotex PLC, both Harwood Private Equity investments, a company for which Ian acts as an operational advisor.  Johnson has served on the boards of various public and private companies in strategic consultancy and business development capacities, including Evans Analytical Group, MyCelx Technologies Corporation and AOI Medical.

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PLANNING and regeneration consultancy Nexus Planning has announced the appointment of Damien Cutting as a senior planner in its Manchester office.

Joining Nexus Planning from Trafford Council, Cutting brings with him extensive experience of town centre and retail planning in the region.
 
During his time at Trafford, Cutting was involved with a wide range of planning application policy projects, and oversaw the development of many major retail, mixed use and residential schemes within the Manchester area.
 
In addition, Justin Cove has been promoted from associate to associate Director in the Manchester office. Cove takes a leading role on the Manchester team’s residential workload. He has recently gained a number of planning permissions for north-west developers and is also currently advising on planning appeal inquires for Bloor Homes and Hollins Strategic Land in the region.

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THE grandsons of the founder of a Preston-based business have been appointed as its Directors.

Campbells Caravans is welcoming Daniel Campbell, 35, and Mike Barnes, 36, to the helm. Both are grandsons of the company’s founder, the late Barney Campbell, who established the business in 1969 on the Lostock Hall site it still occupies today.

In readiness for the role, the duo have grown up working in the family business, as well as spending time away to pursue alternative professions; Campbell in TV and Radio Production before becoming store manager of a national music retail business, and Barnes on the sales team for global automotive brands Jaguar and Mercedes.

Campbell said: “Its an honour to pick up the reigns of a business that our family has grown and nurtured over nearly five decades.  To have survived in what could be considered incredibly turbulent financial times is a testament to the business acumen demonstrated by our grandfather.”