Oxford BioDynamics, a biotechnology company developing personalised medicine tests based on 3D genomic biomarkers, has announced that Matthew Wakefield is joining the board with immediate effect as Non-Executive Chairman.
Matthew graduated with a law degree and has an MBA in finance. He has spent his 27 year career in the city working in senior positions in both the fund management and investment banking industries.
Matthew started his career as a fund manager at Legal and General Plc before moving into broking at Nomura Holdings, Inc. He joined Collins Stewart Hawkpoint Limited (“Collins Stewart”) in 1992 and was Head of Sales and a member of the management committee. He left Collins Stewart in 2004, after 12 years, to work for two charities, The Besom Foundation and The 999 Club. In 2011 Matthew set up the broking partnership Baden Hill LLP, where Matthew will remain as a partner and shareholder.
Matthew has an in-depth knowledge of the company having been one of the company’s earliest external shareholders. Baden Hill LLP raised capital for the company at the IPO in 2016 and Matthew has acted as an advisor to the company from the IPO to the current time. Matthew is currently interested in 468,813 ordinary shares in the company, representing 0.5% of the issued share capital.
The current Chairman and NED, Dr Peter Pack, has elected to step down from the Board for personal reasons having moved back to Germany.
Jon Burrows, CEO said: “The Board of Oxford BioDynamics would like to thank Peter for his service and contribution to the company. During this unprecedented time, his input and guidance, both technically and commercially, has been invaluable, and we wish him every success for his future. The Directors look forward to working with Matthew to continue the development of the company as it moves into the next stage of commercialisation and growth.”
Matthew Wakefield, the new Chairman, said: “I have been associated with the company for well over a decade and I am convinced now more than ever of the considerable potential in the EpiSwitch™ technology. I am looking forward to leading the Board as Chairman and working with Jon and the team in this next phase of the company’s growth.”
About Oxford BioDynamics Plc
Oxford BioDynamics Plc is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of 3D genomic biomarkers for use within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. The Company’s award-winning, proprietary technology platform, EpiSwitch™, aims to accelerate the drug discovery and development process, improve the success rate of therapeutic product development and take advantage of the increasing importance of personalised medicine.
In April 2019, Oxford BioDynamics received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses. The company’s headquarters is located at the Oxford Business Park, and it is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM under the ticker “OBD”.