Gavin Rochussen to replace Patrick De Smedt as Bytes Technology chair
Bytes Technology Group PLC on Wednesday announced that Chair Patrick De Smedt will step down by September 30, allowing an "orderly" transition.
De Smedt has served as as chair of the Surrey, England-based enterprise software firm since its listing in 2020. He wants to devote more time to other professional and personal interests, Bytes said.
Bytes also said it has appointed Gavin Rochussen as a non-executive director and chair-designate, with effect from Friday next week.
Rochussen will become chair upon De Smedt's exit from the board. "A further announcement will be made in due course to confirm the date on which Gavin will transition into the role of chair," Bytes said.
Rochussen is the former chief executive officer of Polar Capital Holdings PLC, the London-listed specialist asset manager. He has also worked as CEO of J O Hambro Capital Management and CEO of Fleming Family & Partners, Europe's multi-family office platforms.
"Gavin ensured the measured evolution of a successful founder-led organisation through a strategy of 'growth with diversification', delivering strong and sustained shareholder value creation at Polar Capital," Bytes said.
Bytes also named Tapiwa Ngara as a non-executive director, with effect from Friday next week.
Ngara is an investment director at Value Capital Partners (Pty) Ltd, an institutional shareholder of Bytes. He is a non-executive director of Altron Ltd and Sun International Ltd.
Bytes shares were 0.4% higher at 379.60 pence each on Wednesday morning in London, but fell 0.8% to ZAR83.00 in Johannesburg.
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