Synthomer announces Peter Hill as new chair, other board changes

London - Synthomer plc has recently announced several updates relating to the composition of its board, as part of the UK polymer group’s succession planning.

Peter Hill has been appointed as an independent non-executive director and chair designate with effect from 1 Sept.

On 1 January 2025, Hill will then replace current chair Caroline Johnstone, who is standing down from the board.

Hill has served as non-executive chair of Keller Group plc since 2016, a role from which he will step down during the first half of 2025.

He was previously non-executive chair of Petra Diamonds Ltd (2020-2023), Volution Group plc (2014-2020), Imagination Technologies plc (February 2017 until its sale in September 2017) and Alent plc (2012-2015).

Hill is currently non-executive chair of The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, a UK government ‘arm's length’ body sponsored by the department for energy security and net zero.

His career has also included roles as a non-executive director on the boards of Cookson Group plc, Meggitt plc, Essentra plc and Oxford Instruments plc, and in similar roles for UK Trade and Investment and the Royal Air Force.

Hill was CEO of Laird plc from 2002 to late 2011, transforming it from an industrial conglomerate into a focused electronics and technology company. He previously held senior management roles at BTR plc and Invensys plc, and was an executive director on the board of Costain Group plc.

His early career was spent with natural resources companies Anglo American, Rio Tinto and BP Minerals. He holds a BSc in engineering, an MBA from the London Business School and is a chartered engineer.

 Other board changes

Alexander Catto has advised the Synthomer board of his intention to step down as a director by the group's next AGM in May 2025.

As a non-independent, non-executive director of the Group, Catto has served as representative of its founding family and significant shareholders since 1981. More recently, he has served as the designated non-executive director leading workforce engagement.

Synthomer has appointed Uwe Halder to the board with effect from 1 Sept. Halder is CEO of KLK OLEO Europe, part of the global oleochemical and manufacturing division of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK) - Synthomer's largest shareholder, with a 27% holding.

Halder's entire career has been in the global chemicals industry. He has worked in the US at BASF and as president of DyStar USA, and in Europe at CHT/BEZEMA and Archroma before joining a business acquired by KLK OLEO.

As a nominee of KLK, Halder will be a non-independent, non-executive director upon appointment.