hVIVO (HVO) has appointed Richard Cotton as an Independent Non-Executive Director with immediate effect, strengthening its board as it continues to expand its early phase Contract Research Organisation (CRO) platform and human challenge trials capability.
In addition, Cotton will become Chair of the Audit Committee and join the Remuneration and Nominations Committees.
Cotton brings a track record across listed and private life sciences businesses, having served as Chair, Audit Chair and Senior Independent Director, alongside advisory and senior finance roles.
He currently serves as Audit Chair and Lead Independent Director at Nasdaq-listed Spectral AI, and as Senior Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair at AIM-listed AOTI. He is also Financial Adviser at Novumgen and a non-executive director at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Previously, Cotton held senior executive finance roles including Chief Financial Officer positions at Dechra Pharmaceuticals and Consort Medical. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and holds a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from Kingston University.
“We welcome Richard to the Board of hVIVO. His extensive financial, operational and governance expertise, combined with his life sciences experience will significantly enhance the Board's capabilities as we focus on the strategic opportunities open to the Company and delivering long-term shareholder value,” said hVIVO’s Non-Executive Chair Shaun Chilton.
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An experienced audit chair with deep life sciences finance credentials should help sharpen reporting, risk management and capital allocation, while supporting the next phase of growth and strategic execution.