15th Mar 2007 07:01
GW Pharmaceuticals PLC15 March 2007 15 March 2007 GW Pharmaceuticals plc ("GW" or "the Company") Changes to Board of Directors GW Pharmaceuticals today announces the appointment of Mr Richard Forrest as anon-executive director. Mr Forrest replaces Mr David Morrison who is standingdown from the Board with effect from today. GW also announces that James Noble, appointed on 25 January 2007 as seniorindependent director, has assumed the newly created position of Deputy Chairman. GW previously announced in its 2006 preliminary results statement that the Boardhas over recent months been carrying out a corporate governance review processwith regard to the proportion of independent non-executive directors. The firststep in this review process was the appointment of James Noble and the decisionof David Mace to retire at this year's AGM. Today's announcement completes thiscurrent review process. Richard Forrest is currently a non-executive director of Alizyme plc, and hasextensive commercial experience in the international pharmaceutical industry,gained over a period of 30 years. This included 19 years with the Rhone-PoulencRorer Group (now Sanofi-Aventis), where his most senior position was SeniorVice-President, Europe. His roles have included responsibility for GeneralManagement, Marketing and Sales and Business Development in Europe and Rest ofthe World (South America, Africa, Middle East and South-East Asia). He was alsoa member of the Pharmaceutical Operations Committee which had responsibility forworldwide operational performance, as well as the Pharmaceutical DevelopmentCommittee, which had responsibility for all R&D portfolio decisions and majorlicensing. Subsequently, his most recent position was Chief Operating Officer ofNovuspharma SpA, an Italian biopharmaceutical company, which merged with CellTherapeutics Inc. in January 2004. Dr Geoffrey Guy, Chairman of GW, said "The changes announced today significantlystrengthen our Board and the resultant Board composition is now well suited tothe next phase in the Company's development. We are delighted to welcome Richardto GW and to enhance James' role as Deputy Chairman." Commenting on David Morrison, Dr Guy, said, "David has had a long associationwith GW as an investor, and most recently as a non-executive director. I shouldlike to thank David for his long-standing support for GW and wish him continuedsuccess in his other business ventures." Richard is currently a non-executive director of Alizyme plc. There are nofurther disclosures to be made in respect of Richard Forrest pursuant toparagraph (f) of Schedule 2 of the AiM Rules for companies. Enquiries: GW Pharmaceuticals plc Tel:+ 44 (0)1980 557000Dr Geoffrey Guy, Executive ChairmanDavid Kirk, Finance Director Financial Dynamics Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113David Yates, Ben Atwell Notes to Editors: GW Pharmaceuticals plc GW was founded in 1998 and listed on the AiM, a market of the London StockExchange, in June 2001. Operating under license from the UK Home Office, thecompany researches and develops cannabinoid pharmaceutical products thatalleviate pain and other neurological symptoms in patients who suffer fromserious ailments. GW has assembled a team of over 100 scientists with extensive experience indeveloping both plant-based prescription pharmaceutical products and medicinescontaining controlled substances. GW occupies a world leading position incannabinoids and has developed an extensive international network of the mostprominent scientists in the field. For further information, please visit www.gwpharm.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
GWP.L