Tecan announces departure of life science head

Tecan has announced the departure of Frederic Vanderhaegen, the head of its life sciences business division and a member of the group management board.

The firm has commenced its search for a successor to the role after confirming that Mr Vanderhaegen will be leaving Tecan later this year in order to pursue new opportunities with Beckman Coulter Life Science.

He will vacate his post no later than November 2012, with Tecan's board of directors and acting chief executive officer (CEO) Gerard Vaillant offering praise for the outgoing business leader.

A company statement said: "They would like to thank him warmly for his valuable contribution to the development of Tecan and wish him all the best for the future."

Mr Vaillant is occupying the CEO role following the recent departure of Thomas Bachmann, with Dr David Martyr having already been named as a permanent replacement.

Dr Martyr will take up the position of CEO as soon as his current contractual obligations permit, but no later than October 8th 2012.