Newbury's Gamma Communications appoints Martin Hellawell as new chair, replacing Richard Last

Newbury-based Gamma Communications has announced that Martin Hellawell will become chair and non-executive director of the board with effect from July 1 this year, replacing Richard Last, who will step down on the same day.

Experienced IT executive Hellawell is currently non-executive chair at Softcat plc, from which he will step down on July 31 this year. He was chief executive of Softcat from 2006 through to 2018 during which time the company enjoyed a successful flotation on the London Stock Exchange in 2015.

He is also non-executive chair of Raspberry Pi Limited, non-executive chair of AIM listed musicMagpie plc, and a non-executive director of AIM listed Team17 plc.

READ MORE: Growth across all sectors for Newbury's Gamma

Hellawell also spent over a decade at Computacenter plc and its associated companies where he was responsible for the marketing function, ran Computacenter's French subsidiary and led acquisitions in the United Kingdom, Belgium and Germany.

Henrietta Marsh, senior independent director at Gamma said: "The board is delighted to have attracted a candidate with the qualities and experience of Martin. His commercial track record and industry background means he will provide outstanding direction and support for the board and management team as Gamma focuses on its next stage of growth. We are all looking forward to working with him."

Thanking Last, who served as chair for nine years, she added: "Under his strategic guidance, Gamma delivered its successful IPO in 2014 and has in every year since seen growth in adjusted profit before tax and dividends.

"At the same time, Richard has put in place the modern governance and board that serves the company today. We are grateful to have benefitted from his experience and wisdom. He will be greatly missed and we wish him well for the future."

Meanwhile, Hellawell said he was "delighted" to be joining the company as chair.

"It is a business that I have admired for some time - having established itself as a market leader with outstanding client relationships and a strong product portfolio. There are some exciting opportunities and I am looking forward to working with the Board and management to help Gamma capitalise on those in the times ahead," he said.

Last, departing as chair, added: "Gamma has achieved a huge amount since 2014 when it went public, with a market cap of c £165m. Today, the business is valued at over £1.1bn with operations across Europe and further exciting opportunities ahead.

"I've enjoyed every moment working with the fantastic team at Gamma and wish them every success going forward. I've no doubt that Martin will provide remarkable leadership as he takes Gamma on the next stage of its growth."

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