LONDON: Getech, a provider of data, knowledge and software products to the energy industry, announced that, following a thorough external recruitment process, Richard Bennett will join the Board of Getech as Non-Executive Director and Chairman Designate with immediate effect.

After a handover period, Richard will assume the Getech Chairmanship, at which point Dr Stuart Paton, Getech’s current Chairman, will leave the Getech Board.

Richard Bennett has extensive business and listed company experience over a career spanning 30 years. During that time, he has worked for General Electric in Asia and the US and co-founded and listed on NASDAQ J2Global, an internet telecoms business currently valued at US$3.5 billion.

He has   worked in executive, chairman and non-executive roles with a series of highly successful growth-focused technology and clean energy companies, currently including the AIM-quoted wireless technology company, MTI Wireless Edge.

Richard’s appointment is the first step in a broader board transition process. This process will align Getech’s Non-Executive expertise with the Company’s strategy of leveraging our skills and technologies to support the energy transition.

With further non-executive appointments anticipated in the coming months, to maintain the size of Getech’s board and taking into account the tenure of current Non-Executive Directors, Peter Stephens will step down from Getech’s Board with immediate effect.

Jonathan Copus, Chief Executive of Getech, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Richard to Getech and look forward to working closely with him. As the pace of the energy transition accelerates and our clients seek to rapidly develop low-carbon and renewable energy projects, we expect this to create substantial opportunities for Getech.

As we extend Getech’s offering in the clean technology space and target ambitious growth, we are engaged in a process to develop the Company’s board and management team to ensure that Getech has the necessary skills to support our current customers and attract new ones. The addition of Richard’s extensive City experience and his strong track record in growing technology, renewable fuel and agricultural companies is an important first step in this ongoing process.

I also want to express Getech’s gratitude to Peter Stephens for his outstanding contribution to the Company’s development. In 2005, Peter played a significant role in the flotation of the Company on AIM and, between 2005 and 2011, served as Getech’s Chairman.

Peter’s wide-ranging business and market experience have been invaluable over the years, and we wish him the very best for the future.”

Richard Bennett, Chairman Designate of Getech also commented: “I very much look forward to joining my new colleagues at Getech as the Company embarks on its next stage of growth and expands its product proposition to support the global energy transition to a net-zero future.

I see great opportunity to build upon Getech’s success in the petroleum industry and apply its extensive data and analytical skills across multiple emerging markets including hydrogen storage and infrastructure, geothermal, digital farming and carbon sequestration. I look forward to supporting the team’s ambitions and contributing to its journey.”

Getech (AIM: GTC) has a well-established position within the global energy market, assisting clients with its unique combination of products and services, that utilise the Group’s sub-surface skills and geospatial design and implementation capabilities alongside a deep knowledge and understanding of how to deploy data.

The Company is leveraging its strong market position, utilising its existing expertise, and targeting additional commercial opportunities, to de-risk and accelerate the global transition to renewable sources of energy while strengthening its existing and well-established business.

Getech is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.getech.com