Christie Group plc announced changes to its Board of Directors all with effect from 18 September 2017. Philip Gwyn, Executive Chairman, has retired and David Rugg has replaced him as Chairman whilst retaining his position as Chief Executive; Dan Prickett, Chief Financial Officer, has become Chief Operating Officer; Simon Hawkins has been appointed as Group Finance Director; and Hwfa Gwyn has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director. At this time there have been no changes made to the composition of the Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee or Nominations Committee. Simon has over 23 years' financial experience in managing all financial aspects of companies both in the UK & internationally. Simon qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and was a Manager in the manufacture, retail and distribution department responsible for preparation of financial and regulatory reporting, before spells at Rugby Cement and Texon International where he gained experience of working with private equity. In 2005, Simon joined Christie & Co as Finance Director, looking after the financial management of Christie & Co's UK and international businesses, Christie Finance & Christie Insurance. Simon has a BSc Hons Degree in Accounting and Financial Management. Hwfa has been CFO of Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd. since February 2014, having previously been a Non-Executive Director of the business. He qualified as an accountant with PwC in London, specialising in the audit of small and mid-cap growth businesses. He worked for KordaMentha, a top corporate recovery firm in Australia.