LONDON: AB Dynamics plc announced the appointment of Sarah Matthews-DeMers as Group Chief Executive Officer. Sarah is the current Chief Financial Officer and will take up her new role from 1 December 2025.
Sarah has been an instrumental part of the leadership team that has transformed the Group over the last six years. Following a rigorous search process, led by Chairman Dick Elsy, the Board saw Sarah as the standout candidate to take the Group forward in the next phase of its development and to deliver the medium-term growth aspirations the Group has set out in its value creation plan.
Sarah is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and after 14 years with PwC, held Executive Committee positions at Avon Rubber plc, Rotork plc and Carclo plc in finance, strategy and investor relations prior to joining AB Dynamics plc.
The Board is commencing a formal process to identify a successor to Sarah as Chief Financial Officer. In the interim, the finance team is well resourced and will continue to report into Sarah. A further update will be provided in due course.
The outgoing Chief Executive Officer, James Routh, will remain with the Group until 31 December 2025 to ensure a smooth handover, but will stand down from the Board on 30 November 2025.
Commenting on the appointment, Dick Elsy CBE, Chairman said: “As an architect of our value creation plan Sarah has been an instrumental part of the leadership team that has transformed the Group over the last six years. I am delighted that she has accepted the opportunity to lead the Group in the next phase of its development, as we execute on our growth and operational performance plans and take advantage of our unique position in an evolving industry underpinned by structural growth drivers towards greater safety, sustainability and efficiency in global transport markets. I look forward to continuing to work with Sarah in delivering the Group’s ambitions over the next few years.”
Commenting on the appointment, Sarah Matthews-DeMers, Chief Executive Officer designate said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the truly exceptional business that is AB Dynamics. The heritage of the Group, being a West of England engineering business, is close to my heart and the technology the Group has developed at its locations across the globe is world leading.
“I look forward to working with the Board, my Executive team and all my colleagues to ensure we delight our customers and fulfil our potential over the long term.”