Gattaca’s founder and largest shareholder George Materna has decided to retire from the board and will step down at the Annual General Meeting.

Materna founded the business nearly 40 years ago and has made a major contribution to the group. He has been a non-executive director on the board for over 15 years. He has stated his intention to retain his existing shareholding in the group.

Materna, said, "I founded the business in 1984 and now my primary reason for retiring is that the board and current management look to be an elite winning team that is restoring and improving on the previously successful culture.”

"Working alongside some outstanding people who have contributed to and been important to the success and longevity of the business has been truly fantastic, I thank them all,” Materna added. "As stated, I will retain my significant shareholding and I look forward to a promising future for the business and the people in it."

The company also announced that Patrick Shanley, who has been independent non-executive chair of Gattaca since December 2015, has decided to step down from the Board and he will be replaced by Richard Bradford as independent non-executive chair immediately following the AGM.

Bradford has extensive experience in solutions and services businesses, both in the UK and USA. He was previously a non-executive director at Gattaca, having originally been appointed in 2011.  Since stepping down from the board in December 2020, he has had no involvement with the business, nor has he previously worked directly with the Group's current Executive directors.  As such, the board have concluded it appropriate that Bradford be considered independent.

In addition, as the number of non-independent members of the Board will reduce following Materna's retirement the decision has been taken to further streamline the board's composition.  Accordingly, Ros Haith, who joined the board in 2021, will step down at the AGM.

This refresh to the board composition takes place alongside the ongoing implementation of the business transformation plan, focused on developing the group's four key strategic priorities.  

Following implementation of these changes, the board will comprise Matthew Wragg and Oliver Whittaker as CEO and CFO respectively, David Lawther and Tracey James as independent non-executive directors and led by Bradford as independent non-executive chair.