NewRiver announces new chair designate

NewRiver has announced the appointment of Lynn Fordham as chair designate and as an independent non-executive director of its nomination committee.

Lynn will succeed Baroness Margaret Ford as chair of the board when she steps down from the role in May.

She currently holds the roles of non-executive director and audit committee chair at NCC Group, Caledonia Investments, Domino’s Pizza Group and is a non-executive Director of Enfinium Group. Lynn was previously non-executive director of VARO Energy and Fuller, Smith & Turner.

Her most recent executive role was as managing partner of Larchpoint Capital, a private equity investment firm. Prior to this, Lynn was chief executive officer and executive director of investment vehicle SVG Capital. She has also held senior finance roles at Barratt Developments, BAA, and Boots.

In her early career, Lynn trained as a chartered accountant with Peat Marwick and held various roles in audit, risk, strategy and finance with British American Tobacco, ED& F Man Group, Chubb, Boots, and BAA.

Alastair Miller, NewRiver senior independent director, said: “Following the completion of a thorough process supported by an international executive search consultancy, we are very pleased to have secured a chair of Lynn’s calibre. Lynn is a seasoned Plc director with significant capital markets and finance experience. I’m confident that Lynn will bring strong strategic leadership and on behalf of the Board I am delighted to welcome Lynn to NewRiver.

Lynn Fordham added: “I am delighted to be joining the Board of NewRiver at this stage in its development and look forward to working with the Board and Allan Lockhart, CEO.

“I was attracted to the role of chair because of the quality of NewRiver’s portfolio and operating platform, the strength of its balance sheet and the prospect of increasing shareholder value over the coming years.”

Baroness Ford OBE added: “It has been a privilege for me to serve as Chair of the NewRiver Board and I am particularly proud of the successful execution of the strategic plan.

“I congratulate Lynn on her appointment as my successor. I am confident that under her leadership of the Board and with Allan Lockhart as CEO, NewRiver will continue to prosper and deliver value for shareholders.”