Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is responsible for Axon's corporate governance and ultimately accountable for our activities, strategy and performance.
Rick Abbott
Non-Executive
Chairman
Rick Abbott has had a successful career in investment banking having held senior positions at Morgan Grenfell, Deutsche Bank, and ABN-AMRO. He left investment banking 10 years ago. Since then he has concentrated on building businesses in private equity real estate and in the financial sector, also holding various non-executive directorships, one of which is Hardy (Underwriting Agencies) Limited a subsidiary of Hardy Underwriting Bermuda Plc. where he also sits on the Investment and Finance Committee. He was a founder shareholder in Month End Money, the UK’s leading payday loan company, which was successfully sold earlier this year.
Richard Guilbert BA (Hons) ACA
Non-Executive
Director
Richard is an experienced general manager and a chartered accountant. He was European General Manager of Dell Financial Services, for whom he established their European base. He is currently a non-executive director of St. Helen’s Finance plc and a partner of consultancy firm Invigors LLP.
Richard has broad leadership experience covering strategy development, financial management, M&A, operational restructuring, international vendor programmes and business start-ups.
Colin Harding BSc. (Hons), PGCE, CBiol MSB
COO Business Development
Director
Colin has a deep understanding in all areas of primary business activity. He has worked successfully in education, banking (data centre), electronic product coding and ethical-pharmaceuticals. He has been involved in two successful software business start-ups from conception to self-reliance. Earn-outs involved working at board level with Porter Chadburn plc (UK) and Illinois Tool Works Inc (USA).
He is a chartered biologist, creative thinker, thought leader and strong implementer with a successful track record in developing new products and creating commercial markets for existing and new products.
Paul Harding BSc. (Hons), PGCE, MA
CFO Business Development
Director
Prior to Axon, Paul was involved in two other successful software business start-ups. Previous businesses also involved pioneering technology, software and electronics, plus patents. Earn outs involved working at board level with Porter Chadburn plc (UK) and Illinois Tool Works Inc (USA).
With 25 years' experience at director level, Paul has a wealth of commercial experience much of which is very ‘hands-on'. Having developed several start-up companies, he has direct experience of all aspects of sales, marketing, finance, R&D and production.
James Otter MA (Hons), MBA
Chief Executive Officer
James is a trusted and experienced leader; he has depth and breadth of experience in a range of technical sectors. While with Zeneca Agrochemicals (now Syngenta) he held a range of international commercial positions. He has direct experience of telehealthcare through his time as CEO of OBS Medical in 2010. He was previously CEO of Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging Ltd and a main board director of Spectris plc. He chairs Hygea VCT and Octopus VCT. He has a Natural Sciences degree from Cambridge and an MBA from INSEAD.
Tom Worth BSc. (Hons), MBA
Non-Executive
Director
Tom is the nominated director representing external shareholders. He is also director of A H Worth, a family business supplying to the supermarket trade. Tom is currently leading its diversification strategy, which includes business angel investments.
Tom has worked in the FMCG and Telecoms arena for companies such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberley-Clark and Vodafone in marketing, strategy and product development before moving into market research consultancy, specialising in helping a wide range of businesses achieve profitable customer loyalty.
Suzy Hughes LL.B (Hons), Barrister
Company Secretary
Suzy is a barrister with over 12 years experience as a senior inhouse lawyer with several major multinational corporations and international financial institutions. She has also been involved in working with the NHS on leasing assets and asset management.