Directorate change

Victrex PLC

10 February 2026

 

 

10 February 2026

Victrex plc

Directorate change

Victrex appoints Peter Kiernan and Maria Antoniou as non-executive directors

David Thomas to retire

Victrex plc is an innovative world leader in high performance polymer solutions, delivering sustainable products which enable environmental and societal benefit in multiple end-markets. The Group is pleased to announce that Peter Kiernan and Maria Antoniou have been appointed as non-executive directors of the Board.

Peter will join the Board effective from 1 March 2026. David Thomas, non-executive director and Chair of the Audit Committee, will retire from the Board on 1 July 2026, and Peter will succeed David as Chair of the Audit Committee from that date. Maria will join the Board on 1 September 2026.

Commenting on the appointments:

Dr Vivienne Cox DBE, Chair of Victrex, said: "I am delighted to welcome Peter and Maria to the Victrex Board.  They both bring a wealth of non-executive and executive experience from relevant industries to support delivery of our strategy, to help unlock Victrex's potential and ultimately to improve our financial performance.

"Peter brings non-executive experience and deep financial expertise from his long executive career in investment banking.  With strong financial acumen, we look forward to Peter working with us as we execute our Profit Improvement Plan to underpin financial performance.

"I am delighted that Maria will join us at a transitional time for Victrex. She brings significant non-executive and executive experience from a range of international industrial companies, all closely aligned to our end-markets. As an accomplished HR leader, Maria's experience combines governance and cultural oversight which will be invaluable to us as we adapt and change to help unlock Victrex's potential over the coming years."

Career history:

Peter Kiernan

Peter Kiernan has significant experience in executive and non-executive roles.  He had a 30 year career in investment banking with a focus on M&A and general corporate finance advice, including senior roles at S.G. Warburg/UBS, Goldman Sachs, Lazard and Hawkpoint Partners/Canaccord Genuity.  He started his career at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant.  He holds an MA in Natural Sciences (Chemistry) from Cambridge University.

Peter has held several advisory and non-executive positions. He currently holds senior advisory roles at Egon Zehnder and OMERS Private Equity (Europe).  Prior non-executive roles include Tungsten Corporation, a public company where he was Audit Committee Chair and Senior Independent Director, Lifeways Group, a private equity owned business where he was Audit Committee Chair and Chair, and Business LDN where he was Chair of the Finance Committee.   

Maria Antoniou

Maria Antoniou has extensive experience in both executive and non-executive roles within UK plc Boards. She is currently Chief Human Resources Officer at Morgan Advanced Materials plc and a non-executive director at FTSE 100 listed Spirax Group plc. Until last year she was a non-executive director of NATS (the National Air Traffic Service).

Maria has a strong background in international industrial businesses, having worked in significant roles at Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and E.ON. Her experience spans across various sectors, including automotive, energy, and advanced materials, which gives her a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within industries aligned to Victrex's end-markets.

There is no further information to be disclosed under UK Listing Rule 6.4.8R. 

Enquiries:

Victrex plc:

Andrew Hanson, Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications        [phone]

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About Victrex:

Victrex is an innovative world leader in high performance polymer solutions, focused on the strategic markets of Automotive, Aerospace, Energy & Industrial, Electronics and Medical. Every day, millions of people rely on products or applications which contain our sustainable materials, from smartphones, aeroplanes and cars to energy operations and medical devices. With over 40 years' experience, we are moving beyond the polymer into semi-finished and finished products which shape future performance for our customers and our markets, enable environmental and societal benefit for our customers and drive value for our shareholders. Find out more at www.victrexplc.com

 

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