Judges Scientific plc

("Judges Scientific" or the "Company")

Executive Director and Board Appointment

Judges Scientific, the group focused on acquiring and developing companies in the scientific instrument sector, announces the appointment of Dr Ian Wilcock to the Board as Group Commercial Director, with immediate effect. Ian will work alongside Mark Lavelle and Dr Tim Prestidge in supporting the growth and development of our businesses.

With 30 years of experience in senior positions at FTSE 250 and Fortune 500 global technology and scientific instrument businesses, Ian joins Judges with a strong track record in leadership, technology commercialisation and innovation.

Ian started his career at Renishaw plc, before twice forming part of the leadership teams of investor-backed SMEs which were acquired by corporates (Footfall by Experian in 2006, and Irisys by Danaher in 2012). Following four years with Danaher, Ian most recently spent eight years as a member of the Management Board of Oxford Instruments plc, leading significant organic and inorganic growth and establishing its Materials Analysis Division.

Teams led by Ian have won several awards, including 3 Queen's Awards for Enterprise in the Innovation category, and more recently a King's Award in the Innovation category.

Ian holds degrees in Chemical Physics from the University of Edinburgh, an MBA from the University of Bath, and conducted post-doctoral research in Gerhard Ertl's Nobel Prize-winning group at the Fritz Haber Institut, Berlin.

Alex Hambro, Chairman of Judges, said: "We are delighted to welcome Ian to the Judges board, who brings with him a wealth of valuable experience. We look forward to benefitting from his expertise as the Group continues to execute its buy and build growth strategy."

For further information please contact: 

Notes to editors:

Judges Scientific plc (AIM: JDG), is a group focused on acquiring and developing companies in the scientific instrument sector.  The Group now consists of 25 businesses acquired since 2005.

The acquired companies are primarily UK-based with products sold worldwide to a diverse range of markets including: higher education institutions, scientific research facilities, manufacturers and regulatory authorities.  The UK is a recognised centre of excellence for scientific instruments.  The Group has received five Queen's Awards for innovation and export.

The Group's companies predominantly operate in global niche markets, with long term growth fundamentals and resilient margins.

Judges Scientific maintains a policy of selectively acquiring businesses that generate sustainable profits and cash.  Shareholder returns are created through the reduction of debt, organic growth and dividends.

For further information, please visit www.judges.uk.com

Regulatory Information

In accordance with Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules, Ian Christopher Wilcock, aged 57, holds or has held in the past 5 years the following directorships and trusteeships:

Current directorships/trusteeships

Oxford Instruments Italia s.r.l

Past directorships/trusteeships

Oxford Instruments Industrial Products Limited

Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Limited

Oxford Instruments Nordiska AB

Oxford Instruments SAS

Oxford Instruments Technology (Shanghai) Co. Limited

WITec Wissenschaftliche Instrumente und Technologie GmbH

Ian Christopher Wilcock has confirmed that save as disclosed above there are no additional disclosures to be made in accordance with Rule 17 or Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.