Mereo BioPharma Group plc (AIM: MPH), a clinical stage, UK-based, biopharmaceutical company focused on rare and specialty diseases, today announces that Richard CM Jones has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company and will join the Board of Directors in early 2017.
Richard joins Mereo from Shield Therapeutics plc (AIM: STX) where he has been Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. He was initially appointed as a Non-Executive Director at Shield in 2010 before moving to his current position in 2011 where he had a leading role establishing the finance operations and guiding Shield through its recent IPO.
Prior to this, Richard had a career in investment banking, holding senior positions at Investec and Brewin Dolphin Securities, where he advised healthcare clients on a wide range of transactions and fundraising’s including IPOs, M&A and fundraising’s. Richard qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC in 1991.
Richard Bungay, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer has resigned from the Board of Directors and as previously indicated will leave the Company in April 2017 in order to ensure an orderly transition.
Dr Denise Scots-Knight, Chief Executive Officer of Mereo BioPharma Group plc commented:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Jones as our Chief Financial Officer and to the Board of Directors. His extensive financial experience in the healthcare industry, initially as an investment banker in the sector and more recently as CFO of Shield Therapeutics, complements that of the other members of Mereo’s executive team. Following our positive debut as a listed company, the Board is confident that Richard will make a valuable and significant contribution to Mereo’s future success.”
