InnovaDerma appoints non-exec director

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Oct 16, 2020

UK beauty manufacturer InnovaDerma has tapped Mark Michael Ward to join its board as non-executive director.

The company behind skincare and haircare brands including Skinny Tan and Charles + Lee said his appointment is effective from 19 November.

Mark Michael Ward is an experienced digital and technology professional with strong links to the consumer and service industries. He founded Hunter Macdonald, a digital transformation and services company in 2013 which was recognised as being one of the fastest growing companies in the UK in 2017. Hunter Macdonald merged with Scandinavian based Netcompany a year later and floated on Nasdaq OMX.

Ads

Ward began his career at PwC working in M&A and operations and spent around.13 years in senior operational director roles for British multinational consumer goods company Reckitt Benckiser, telecommunications firms Verizon and BT and insurance specialist Friends Life.
  
Joe Bayer, executive chairman and interim CEO of InnovaDerma said: “Mark brings with him a wealth of technology and FMCG experience which achieves a key board objective of adding more diversity in digital and marketing expertise to the company's existing strong, multi-disciplinary board. We look forward to working with him as we continue to implement our strategy and deliver further successes.”

In August, Kieran Callan stepped down as chief executive officer with immediate effect “by mutual agreement” with the board, handing over the reins to Bayer. His departure came shortly before the release of the company’s results for the year to 30 June. Revenue for the period was up 3% to £13.3 million but Covid-19 challenges and higher online advertising costs pushed the business into the red with a pre-tax loss of £377,000.

Skinny Tan continues to gain in popularity following a rollout into Boots and Tesco and InnovaDerma said it has experienced “exceptional demand” for its Wonder Serum treatment. Meanwhile, premium men’s skincare brand Charles + Lee delivered a 35% increase in revenues driven by larger retail presence in Australia. The affordable range is set to launch in the UK and US this year.