Dechra signs Tony Rice up to be chairman

Dechra Pharmaceuticals announced the appointment of Tony Rice to its board as non-executive director on Friday, with a view to elevating him to chairman after the company’s Annual General Meeting in October.

The news came after a previous announcement that Mike Redmond was stepping down from the board of the FTSE 250 firm at the conclusion of the AGM.

Dechra said the appointment followed a comprehensive search process led by senior independent director Ishbel Macpherson and an external search agency.

"On behalf of the board and all stakeholders, I welcome Tony to the business. He has gained extensive knowledge of international businesses and has a solid understanding of key strategic drivers,” said Dechra chief executive officer Ian Page.

“These skills will further enhance the team's capabilities. I would also like to acknowledge Mike's significant contribution to the development of the group and his leadership of the Board over the past 15 years. We wish him all the best for the future."

Dechra’s board said Rice had extensive board-level experience across a range of sectors, and was currently the senior independent non-executive director and chair of the remuneration committee at Halma.

He was previously CEO at Cable & Wireless and Tunstall Holdings, and prior to that held various roles at BAE Systems including managing director of commercial aircraft and group Md of business development.

Rice had also served as a non-executive director at Punch Taverns, Spirit Pub Company, Cable & Wireless, Telewest Communications and Saab Technologies, and chairman of Alexander Mann Solutions.

"I am delighted to be joining Dechra to work with Ian, his management team and the Board to build on and continue the successful growth of the business to date,” Rice said of his appointment.