Sernova (TSX:SVA; OTCQB:SEOVF; FSE/XETRA:PSH) has named Jonathan Rigby as executive chairman, effective immediately. Mr. Rigby, previously a director with the company, replaces chairman Brett Whalen, who has resigned from the board.
In his expanded role, Mr. Rigby will focus on partnering with Sernova leadership on capital markets efforts in addition to leading the board.
“I am delighted to serve the company and its shareholders as executive chairman with passion and enthusiasm. As a sufferer myself, I will do all I can to help the company give lives back to patients suffering from diseases such as Type 1 diabetes,” said Jonathan Rigby, executive chairman of Sernova. “I have financed and grown multiple companies through to exits and my goal is quite clear, I will work tirelessly with the team to do the same for Sernova and its shareholders.”
The company’s CEO, Cynthia Pussinen, will continue to report to the board in her role as originally defined managing Sernova’s day-to-day business strategy and operations.
In a statement, James Parsons, director of Sernova, said, “We welcome Jonathan to his expanded role as Executive Chairman to increase our focus on capital markets where he has a demonstrated track record of success through multiple capital raises, Nasdaq listings and successful exits of several biotech companies. The Board fully supports the leadership team and Jonathan will further augment our overall Company strength. We are grateful to Brett for his chairmanship.”
Mr. Rigby has served as CEO for several companies and is currently a Board member of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. and IM Therapeutics. He previously served on the Board of Xeris Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Rigby holds a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Sheffield, UK, and an MBA from the University of Portsmouth, UK.