Zissman steps down from AIM Investments

SIR Bernard Zissman, the former Lord Mayor of Birmingham, has stepped down from his role as a non-executive chairman of AIM Investments with immediate effect.

The company announced the move in a statement to the London Stock Exchange this morning.
The company, which invests in private and publicly-listed companies from under-serviced and fast growing emerging economies, said Sir Bernard would be replaced by non-executive director Mark Pajak.

Mr Pajak has spent most of his professional career in property development and has extensive experience at both the corporate and operational level – most recently as a regional director with Taylor Wimpey.

“Having steered the company through an extremely challenging development period, Sir Bernard is pleased to be handing over to Mark Pajak,” said the statement.
 
“The board would like to thank Sir Bernard for (his) valuable and determined efforts to secure the company’s future as an emerging market investment company.”

AIM said his departure coincided with a restructuring of the firm. In the coming weeks, it will complete the ongoing review to ensure the company is operating as efficiently as possible.

The outcome of the review together with full year results will be issued later.

Sir Bernard is a former IoD Non-Executive Director of the Year and was knighted for public and political services in 2006. He is currently the chairman of a number of other public and private companies, namely Advantage Business Angels Ltd, CDI Plc and Early Equity Plc. He is also the chief executive officer of Confident Communications Ltd.

Previous corporate roles have included the chairman of an NHS Trust and director of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Birmingham.