Fenner appoints new chairman but opposes non executive bid

Vanda Murray has been appointed chairman at'‹ engineering firm Fenner, although the'‹ '‹group'‹ '‹said it 'strongly oppose'‹s''‹ a board appointment sought by Swiss investment firm Teleios Capital Partners.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Dec 2016, 15:33 BST
Updated 29th Dec 2016, 15:19 BST
Mark Abrahams has agreed to remain as Fenner's CEO in order to preserve stability.Mark Abrahams has agreed to remain as Fenner's CEO in order to preserve stability.
Mark Abrahams has agreed to remain as Fenner's CEO in order to preserve stability.

The Hessle'‹-'‹based firm'‹ '‹said'‹ '‹Ms Murray has'‹ '‹agreed to take up the role of non-executive chairman with immediate effect, having been the acting non-executive chairman since June. '‹Last Friday'‹ Fenner received a request from Teleios '‹to approve the appointment of Michael E. Ducey as a non-executive director of the company at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting due to be held on January 11.On Tuesday the group said '‹its '‹b'‹oard of '‹d'‹irectors strongly opposes the appointment of Mr Ducey, as '‹it does not believe '‹“he would be additive in terms of skills, experience and background and the '‹b'‹oard does not consider him to be independent of the shareholder nominating him'‹“'‹. '‹It added: “'‹'‹The '‹b'‹oard does not believe that his appointment would be in the interests of Fenner shareholders.'‹“'‹Furthermore, the ongoing search process for a new CEO has been materially disrupted by the current shareholder activity to elect Mr Ducey to the '‹b'‹oard.'‹“'‹ While the search for a new CEO candidate continues, Mark Abrahams has agreed to remain as CEO in order to preserve stability.'‹The group said it has started a search for a new independent non-executive director who will be a complementary fit and with a background in Fenner’s growth sectors and a strong track record.“The board believes that together these changes are the best way to build on the progress and momentum achieved over the last year,” the firm said.Ms Murray has been an independent non-executive director of the '‹c'‹ompany since January 2012. '‹Fenner said that her selection as independent '‹n'‹on-'‹e'‹xecutive '‹c'‹hairman follows a rigorous process using external head-hunters'‹ and'‹ the process was overseen by '‹n'‹on-'‹e'‹xecutive '‹d'‹irector Chris Surch on behalf of the '‹b'‹oard.Commenting on her appointment, '‹Ms Murray said'‹:'‹ “I am delighted to have been asked by the '‹b'‹oard to accept the role of '‹c'‹hairman. I am committed to taking the '‹c'‹ompany forward, building on the progress we are making and creating value for our shareholders.” The '‹group confirm'‹ed'‹ that '‹'‹Mr Surch has been appointed as the '‹s'‹enior '‹i'‹ndependent '‹d'‹irector and that Geraint Anderson will become the '‹c'‹hairman of the '‹r'‹emuneration '‹c'‹ommittee. L'‹ast month'‹ Fenner reported better'‹ '‹than'‹ '‹expected full'‹ '‹year revenue helped by '‹the collapse in the pound following the Brexit vote. '‹'‹'‹The group, which has been hit by '‹the'‹ global commodity slump, said revenue fell '‹14 per cent '‹to '‹Â£'‹572.5'‹m '‹in'‹ the year '‹to Aug'‹ust'‹ 31. '‹Analysts were expecting revenue of '‹Â£'‹567'‹m, so this was better than expected'‹. '‹'‹The pound has fallen about 1'‹7'‹ per'‹ '‹cent against the dollar'‹ since Britain’s vote in June to leave the EU.'‹At the time of the results Mr Abrahams'‹ said:'‹ '‹“The '‹g'‹roup’s results were ahead of our expectations at the time of the A'‹GM in January 2016, assisted by currency. Management actions have started to outweigh market pressures. '‹The '‹g'‹roup has made important progress in repositioning those businesses which have been most affected by market conditions.”