Jon Rees to Step Down from OBN

OBN - the membership organisation supporting the UK's emerging life sciences companies – has announced that CEO Jon Rees is to step down in August after 10 years in the role. Jon will continue to support OBN in a Senior Consultant, Business Development capacity.

The Board has appointed Ross Sommerville MBA as Interim CEO whilst a permanent replacement for Jon is sought. Ross brings strong leadership experience gained through global medtech organisations and for the past 12 years he was with ResMed Inc, where he built and led its UK and European partner network businesses.

Under Jon’s leadership, OBN has grown from a University project into a diversified, financially-sustainable association delivering the largest life sciences investment conference in Europe, BioTrinity and providing a powerful voice for emerging R&D companies.

Jon Rees said: "I have thoroughly relished my time as CEO of OBN and working to deliver on the evolving mission of supporting emerging life sciences companies but, having been with OBN for 10 years, I feel it is an appropriate time to step down to explore other opportunities to use my knowledge and experience. I will remain available to OBN, the Board and to the incoming interim CEO in 2015 and look forward to seeing the organisation continue to grow and develop."

 David Laskow-Pooley, Chairman of OBN, said: "Jon's contribution to OBN has been enormous. I wish to thank him for the energy and commitment which he has brought to the organisation and for what he has delivered for our member companies.

Bill Castell, Chairman of the Wellcome Trust, said: "Jon has made an outstanding contribution to supporting the UK's innovative life sciences sector, he has excelled at bringing companies together with the investors which fund the translation of our great science base, while transforming OBN's profile in his decade of unwavering service to the sector."