Dechra announces new director appointments

Dechra has announced the appointment of Julian Heslop and Ishbel Macpherson as independent non-executive directors.

Mr Heslop, the former chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, will take up his position from January 1st 2013. Ms Macpherson is due to join the board from the start of February.

The investment banker, who is currently non-executive chairman of Speedy Hire, already holds non-executive directorships at Synthomer, May Gurney Integrated Services and Dignity.

Mr Heslop and Ms Macpherson will both be members of Dechra's audit, remuneration and nomination committees, with the former expected to be appointed chairman of the audit committee when Neil Warner retires next year.

The duo were welcomed to the veterinary pharmaceutical company by chairman Mike Redmond.

"Each brings a wealth of relevant experience with them which will be valuable as we take Dechra on to the next stage," he said.

The appointments were announced shortly after Dechra promoted Time to Change, its antimicrobial resistance campaign, at the London Vet Show last month.