London-listed Braemar has signalled a continuation of its growth ambitions with the expansion of its board of directors.
The group has appointed communications professional Catriona Valentine as an independent director from Tuesday.
She will also join the remuneration committee and audit and risk committee.
Valentine has more than 25 years of experience advising quoted and privately owned companies on investor and corporate communications.
She has extensive knowledge of the small-cap growth companies’ market and considerable merger and acquisition transactional experience, having advised a broad range of clients on both London’s AIM and main board stock markets, Braemar said.
Chairman Nigel Payne said he is delighted to welcome Valentine to the board.
“As we continue to develop and implement our expansion and growth agenda, the addition of Cat’s extensive expertise will add considerable value to the board and will help us to deliver on our strategic ambitions,” he said.
Valentine began her career in 1996 with Rawlings Financial PR.
She went on to lead this business, before establishing her own agency in 2008, which was acquired by Tavistock Communications in 2012.
The executive then spent two years with Hudson Sandler, as board director, before joining the strategic communications advisory business, Belvedere Communications, in 2017, where she is director and co-owner.
Expanding its services
The Braemar board is made up of three executive directors — chief executive James Gundy, group operating officer Tris Simmonds and finance boss Nick Stone — and three non-executive members, in addition to the new recruit.
Aside from the chairman, these are governance and compliance expert Elizabeth Gooch and Joanne Lake, a finance professional.
The broker has been expanding its services rapidly in recent months.
In February, it recruited Rebecca Reed-Sperrin to beef up its securities operation with a new oil derivatives desk.
Braemar is also continuing to expand its core shipbroking business, luring away the tanker desk of Spanish broker Medco in December to form Madrid Shipping Advisors.
In the same month, the group grew its Athens office by adding a corporate finance desk and bought US broker Southport in a $14m cash and shares deal.
