Survitec, a global safety and survival solutions leader, has today announced the strengthening of its Board of Directors with the additions of Nick Henry, Ian Plumb and Phil Swash as Non-Executive Directors.
These three industry leaders have exceptionally strong knowledge and experience in guiding companies through periods of major transformation to profitable growth. The new directors join a group of other industry experts led by Ron Krisanda, Survitec Executive Chairman.
Nick Henry has 36 years of experience in the commercial maritime field, across a number of its sub-sectors, including container operations and offshore services, globally. He spent the last 16 years with James Fisher and Sons, a marine services group, 15 of which have been as Chief Executive.
During his tenure as CEO, Nick led the company through a period of extraordinary growth and transformation, delivering 40 successful global acquisitions, driving 20% annual growth, and increasing the market capitalisation of the group by almost tenfold. Prior to this, Nick worked for 20 years for P&O Containers and P&O Ports, of which 10 years were in senior management positions based in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, the Netherlands and the Indian Sub-Continent.
Ian Plumb is a highly skilled private equity professional following more than a decade of working within private equity firms. He has significant experience in all aspects of private equity exits, business transformations, acquisitions and refinancing projects.
Ian started his private equity career at Endless LLP focusing on transformational investments and later specialising in portfolio management, including a number of Chief Restructuring Officer roles on more intensive investments. He was recruited by NorthEdge LLP to establish and manage the portfolio function, becoming Head of Portfolio, where his primary focus has been the creation and execution of value creation plans. Ian has extensive experience of supporting both businesses and investors through transformative periods.
Phil Swash has over 25 years’ experience in global senior leadership, transformation and P&L roles, with expertise in aerostructures, automotive, off-highway, global industrial operations, and lean and digital manufacturing.
Earlier in his career, Phil led the manufacturing launch of the largest commercial aircraft wings then produced and was ultimately responsible for all Airbus Wing manufacturing. He also led the deployment of lean manufacturing across Airbus’ European operations.
Phil then joined GKN where he held various chief executive and board positions. As CEO of GKN’s largest division, Phil had full autonomy and P&L responsibility for the £5.4bn global business. He led a global re-structuring of the business and successfully re-shaped and re-focused product research & development which led to the company capturing over 40% market share, in a hugely competitive space.
As a GKN Board Director, Phil played a crucial role during the Melrose take-over and, crucially, the subsequent value enhancement which was secured for GKN.