TyraTech appoints industry veteran Barella as chairman

AIM-listed life sciences technology group TyraTech has appointed industry veteran José Geraldo Ramalho Barella as non-executive chairman with immediate effect following the resignation of Alan Reade.

TyraTech said 60-year old Barella has significant global experience across the animal health, human health, crop protection and chemical industries, having held a variety of senior management and executive positions throughout his career.

Barella began his career in 1982 in the chemical industry, first at steel maker Cosipa and then with Alcoa.

Subsequently, he joined Rhone Poulenc's Brazilian subsidiary Rhodia in 1986 and over a six year period held several senior positions in engineering, project management and marketing.

In 2001, he joined Merial, the stand alone Animal Health JV of Merck and Aventis, to lead the Companion Animals division. In the 12 years he was there, Merial sales grew from $1.5bn to $2.8bn.

Between April 2013 and December 2015, Barella joined the advisory board of Madrid-based biotech MABxience. In February 2015, he was appointed chairman of Tel Aviv-based Netafim, which specialises in irrigation.

Outgoing chairman Reade said: “I will then step down and retire, safe in the knowledge that the board has gained world class leadership.”

At 1237 BST, TyraTech shares were up 18.2% to 3.25p.