Restore appoints new finance chief, non-executive chair

The AIM-traded company said Baker would bring extensive experience with him, having served as the CEO of EV Metals Group’s battery materials business following its acquisition from Johnson Matthey in 2022.

Before that, he was finance and strategy director of battery materials at Johnson Matthey from 2018 to 2022.

Baker also held senior roles at Smith & Nephew, including group financial controller and CFO in China.

He is a Chartered Accountant and began his career at Deloitte, where he spent 11 years in its audit practice.

Dan Baker was succeeding Mike Killick, who had served as interim CFO since August and would step down as a director on 13 November, but would aid in a smooth transition during his notice period.

“We are delighted that Dan is joining us as chief financial officer,” said chief executive officer Charles Skinner.

“He is a highly experienced finance executive who brings considerable commercial and technical accounting knowledge and a strong understanding of listed company and growth business environments.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for Mike’s contribution during his interim appointment.”

Additionally, Restore noted a change in its chair position, as Jamie Hopkins succeeded Sharon Baylay-Bell as non-executive chair, with both changes taking immediate effect.

Hopkins joined the Restore board in 2020 and previously held the roles of senior independent director and remuneration committee chair.

Baylay-Bell, a director at Restore for nine years, was stepping down from her position as chair and director.

She joined the Restore board in September 2014 and served in various capacities, including risk committee chair and senior independent director.

Baylay-Ball played a pivotal role during her tenure as chair, the board said, overseeing its evolution and the development of the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy.

She also facilitated the recent transition to a new executive leadership team, including the appointment of Charles Skinner as CEO and the newly-announced CFO, Dan Baker, following an independent search process.

Susan Davy would continue as senior independent director and audit committee chair, while Lisa Fretwell would retain her position as chair of risk, remuneration and ESG on the Restore board.

“I would like to thank Sharon for her leadership as chair over the last two years and for her commitment and service to Restore since joining the board in 2014,” Jamie Hopkins commented.

“We wish her well for the future.

“I am looking forward to leading the board and working with the management team to deliver value to all of our stakeholders.”

At 0805 GMT, shares in Restore were down 0.05% at 196.4p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.