Avon Protection appoints Jos Sclater as Chief Executive Officer

LONDON, UK: The Board of Avon Protection plc announced the appointment of Jos Sclater as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 16 January 2023.

Jos Sclater joins Avon Protection having spent the last 3 years as Group Chief Financial Officer at Ultra Electronics plc. In this role, Jos led a broad-based transformation programme focused on improving growth and efficiency.

He also had Group-wide responsibility for the Finance, Treasury, IT, Procurement, Transformation, Continuous Improvement and Risk functions as well as direct oversight of Ultra’s Forensic Technology and Energy businesses.

Prior to this Jos was Group CFO at Castrol Lubricants and, before that, spent 7 years at GKN plc, including as Group CFO and Director of Corporate Finance & Strategy. Jos started his career as a qualified solicitor and held in-house legal and M&A roles at ICI plc, AkzoNobel N.V. and GKN plc.

The appointment follows an in-depth search process led by Executive Chair, Bruce Thompson, with the support of the Nominations Committee. Bruce will continue in the role of Executive Chair until Jos starts in January, before reverting to his previous role as Non-Executive Chair.

Bruce Thompson, Executive Chair of Avon Protection, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Jos to Avon Protection and the Board looks forward to working with him. He brings a wealth of experience in leadership roles and an impressive track record of value creation within global manufacturing businesses. His expertise in a range of disciplines and deep experience in the international Defence industry make him a standout choice to lead Avon Protection as Chief Executive Officer.”

Jos Sclater commented: “Avon Protection is a business with a proud history and an exciting future, and I am delighted to have been asked to take the Chief Executive Officer role. The Group has unique technologies with global market-leading positions in respiratory and head protection markets. I am excited by its growth potential, and I very much look forward to leading the next stage of its development.”

Avon Protection designs and produces life-critical personal protection solutions for the world’s militaries and first responders. With a portfolio that includes Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (“CBRN”), respiratory and head protection products, our mission is to enhance the performance, efficiency and capability of our customers whilst providing ever increasing levels of protection.

Avon Protection operates from six sites employing approximately 1,000 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: AVON).