Shire announces changes to board

Shire Pharmaceuticals has announced changes to its board of directors with the retirement of its non-executive chairman Dr James H Cavanaugh.

Dr Cavanaugh will be succeeded by current chief executive Matthew Emmens with Angus Russel then moving to Mr Emmens’ role.

David Kappler will be appointed as deputy chairman under the succession plans which will come in to effect at Shire’s AGM in June 2008.

Dr Cavanaugh has been Shire’s chairman since 1999 and will have been a member of the board for 11 years once he retires.

His successor Mr Emmens joined Shire in 2003 following on from 34 years in the sector and has led the company through a period of strategic development.

Mr Emmens’ successor is to be Mr Russel who has been chief financial officer at Shire since 1999 and has 27 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr Cavanaugh praised his successor Mr Emmens, describing him as an exceptional chief executive.

“Matt will make an excellent non-executive chairman and we are delighted that he will continue to play an important part in Shire’s continued success,” he confirmed.

Last month, Shire announced the appointment of Dr Whaijen Soo as senior vice-president of research and development of its human genetic therapies business based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.