People: Avacta; The 600 Group; Glentrool Estates Group; and more

Wetherby-based Avacta Group, which develops cancer therapies and diagnostics based on its Affimer® and pre|CISION™ platforms, has appointed Dr Fiona McLaughlin as chief scientific officer of its Therapeutics Division.

McLaughlin is a highly experienced oncology drug developer, bringing over 25 years’ experience in research and translational drug development in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, having led teams from early research through to clinical development.

She started her career at GlaxoSmithKline and has subsequently held leadership positions in multiple biotech companies including vice president, translational research at Antisoma plc and director of pre-clinical development at BTG plc (now part of Boston Scientific).

Other roles include head of biology at TopoTarget A/S, where she was responsible for the pre-clinical development of belinostat which went on to gain FDA approval to treat peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Most recently, she was vice president of new opportunities at Algeta ASA (acquired by Bayer), a Norwegian biotech developing alpha radio-pharmaceuticals, that gained FDA approval of Xofigo to treat castration resistant prostate cancer.

She has also gained broad experience during her career as a consultant, providing scientific and strategic advice to biotechs, Not-for-Profit Organisations, and Venture Capitalists in UK, Europe, USA and Australia, including helping drive oncology strategy at the CRUK/AstraZeneca Alliance Laboratory.

Dr Alastair Smith, chief executive officer of Avacta, said: “We are delighted to have Fiona McLaughlin join us as chief scientific officer of our Therapeutics Division.

“Fiona is a seasoned drug developer with an outstanding track record in developing oncology drug candidates and taking them into clinical development.

“She brings a huge amount of experience, deep insight and strong leadership that will be major assets to Avacta in driving forward both the Affimer® and pre|CISION™ clinical and preclinical pipelines and I look forward working with her.”

McLaughlin added: “I am delighted to join Avacta’s Therapeutics Division at this pivotal  time, as the company transitions to become a clinical stage development organisation.

“I look forward to the opportunity of driving the strategic leadership of the company’s therapeutics research and am excited by the potential of the pre|CISION™ and Affimer® platforms, to develop first and best-in-class oncology therapeutics, to ultimately provide patients with important new treatment options.”

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The 600 Group, a listed Elland-based diversified industrial engineering company, says Donald Haselton and Todd Riggs have been appointed as non-executive directors of the Group.

Haselton has over 20 years’ experience in the industrial engineering sector and has worked in varying roles within the Group since 2006.

He is currently, and will remain, the president of 600 Group Inc. and the managing director of the Industrial Laser Systems Division of the Group.

Riggs has worked in varying roles within the industrial engineering sector since 2005.

He is currently a Partner in five engineering businesses, including reusable plastic cup producer r.Cup LLC and industrial wipe manufacturer Sellars Absorbent Materials Inc.

He also owns his own strategic, financial, and operational consulting business, Riggs & Associates, alongside his wife.

Stephen Rutherford, who has been a 600 Group non-executive director since 2007, will be retiring after the upcoming annual general meeting.

Along with the above changes to board level management, the 600 Group plc board is assuming a purely supervisory, strategic and stewardship role and engaging 600 Group, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary, to fully manage day to day operations.

Paul Dupee will transition to a non-executive chairman role of the plc but continue as executive chairman of 600 Group Inc.  

Derek Zissman will continue as senior independent director and chair of the Audit Committee, with Stephen Fiamma continuing as chair of the Remuneration Committee. Neil Carrick will continue as corporate secretary.

Dupee said: “It has been a great pleasure to know and work with Steve for many years and we have benefited greatly from his contribution.

“We will very much miss his experience and wise counsel and wish him all the best for the future. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Don and Todd to the Board and look forward to working with them as we enter the next stage of the Group’s development.”

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Glentrool Estates Group, a Yorkshire-based property development and investment company, has appointed Rebecca Hailey as project manager.

She joins Glentrool from property consultancy JLL where she was an associate director and chartered building surveyor for 14 years.

She previously worked for Montague Evans Building Consultancy and Baily Garner in London.

Her clients included Legal and General, IPIF, Aviva, Barclays and Standard Life.

Hailey said: “This is a tremendously exciting opportunity for me. Glentrool are one of the most respected independent property development companies in the north of England and I am proud to be joining a close-knit and talented team.

“My main responsibility will be progressing the development of Sherburn2, Glentrool’s successful logistics and warehousing development in Sherburn-in-Elmet.

“More specifically, I will soon be delivering the spine road on the development, including the utilities infrastructure, together with the north and south phases at Sherburn2 and Sherburn3.

“My first challenge was to assist the Glentrool team to exchange on the recent multi-million pound sale of 37 acres of Sherburn2 to the Firethorn Trust.

“This deal was excellent for all concerned, enabling Firethorn to swiftly and speculatively deliver high-quality units for occupiers.

“More generally, I will be involved in the programming and budget appraisals for proposed industrial developments within Glentrool’s portfolio, together with providing project management, dilapidations and professional building surveying advice.”

Jeremy Nolan, director of Glentrool, said: “We are delighted to welcome such an experienced and talented project manager like Rebecca to our team.

“She arrives at Glentrool at a significant time in our development, as we look to build on our success at Sherburn2 and enhance and expand our commercial property portfolio.

“The development of the remainder of Sherburn2, following the Firethorn sale, is a long-term project, which demands the fullest commitment from us. Rebecca is perfect for this challenging and satisfying role.”

Hailey, who grew up in Harrogate, and studied at Nottingham Trent University, is married with two children.

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Haith Group, a Doncaster-based designer and manufacturer of vegetable handling solutions, has appointed a new managing director.

Duane Hill takes over the role from Nigel Haith who moves to the position of chairman as he prepares for semi-retirement.

Haith has been managing director since 1997 and has overseen the company’s growth from a turnover of £6m to well over £20m.

He said: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved during my time as managing director, but at 65, I want to enjoy a slower pace of life and pursue my hobbies and spend more time with my family.

“The board and I are very excited about the future and know that with Duane as managing director, the company, its team and the next generation of my family are in safe hands.

“I am really looking forward to seeing the company continue to grow under Duane’s leadership, and I know the whole team will support him and play their part in the next chapter of the company.”

Hill, 35, joined Haith Group in 2004 and from starting on the shop floor, has worked his way up through key departments of the business, moving into sales in 2007 and becoming sales director in 2011.

He said: “Nigel and the whole Haith family have been incredibly supportive to me, and I am grateful for the trust they have put in me over the years and particularly with this appointment.

“Over the last decade, the company has enjoyed considerable growth seeing its customer base both in the UK and overseas expand.

“The number of people we employ has increased, and we have reinvested profits to allow us to continue to innovate.

“I am very excited about the future and confident that with the new senior management team, we will guide the business to even more success as our customers continue to put their trust in Haith.”

Nigel Haith and the Haith family continue to be the firm’s majority shareholders.