The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), the UK’s technology innovation provider for process manufacturing, appointed Jennie Younger as its new Non-Executive Chairman.
Younger succeeds Bob Coxon OBE, who served CPI as Chairman for 14 years, since the company was set up in 2003. As Chairman, Younger will lead CPI’s Group Board and oversee the next phase of CPI’s growth.
Younger said: “I am very pleased to have been offered the role of Chairman of the Board of CPI. The importance of CPI in driving the UK’s manufacturing industry is fundamental to the success of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy, supporting the translation of ideas and innovation into global commercial success and competitiveness.
“I look forward to leading the future strategic direction for CPI. I would like to thank Bob Coxon for all he has done to establish CPI’s outstanding reputation since the company was established.”
Younger has more than 30 years of experience working in business with a strong Finance, Corporate Affairs, Government Relations, Corporate Responsibility and Capital Markets background.
She has held senior executive positions in world-leading, global organisations and has a proven leadership track record with particular strength in supporting strategic delivery through effective stakeholder engagement and change management.
During her career, Younger has gained significant knowledge and experience of the global pharmaceutical industry. Most recently, she was VP and Global Head of Corporate Affairs at AstraZeneca, with responsibility globally for all internal and external corporate affairs and communications, including government relations.
Prior to that, Younger was a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting and Global Head of Communications and Client Marketing for the Corporate and Investment Banking business at Deutsche Bank.
Before this, Younger was Head of Investor Relations at Glaxo Wellcome and was later appointed Global Head of Corporate Communications, Corporate Responsibility and Community Partnerships and a member of the Executive Team at GlaxoSmithKline. She started her career as an Equity Research Analyst at Barclays de Zoete Wedd and Kleinwort Benson.
Nigel Perry, CEO of CPI said: “CPI is on the threshold of its next phase of development and I am delighted that Jennie has joined CPI as Chairman. She brings new insights, guidance and leadership that will help us to implement our growth strategy to enable CPI to deliver increased impact and value for our clients and for the UK economy as a whole.”
Bob Coxon OBE, former Chairman of CPI, said: “It has been a privilege to have been the Chairman of CPI for the past 14 years. When CPI was starting out, we determined that CPI would have its roots in the North East of England, with its ambitions being truly international, to stimulate growth in the UK manufacturing sector. I am proud of its position today as an innovation centre of world stature.”
