The board of International Biotechnology Trust plc has announced the appointment of Alexa Henderson as an independent non-executive director of the company with effect from the beginning of next year.

Henderson will succeed Caroline Gulliver as chair of the company’s audit committee. (Gulliver, who has served nine years on the board, will stand for re-election at the 2024 annual general meeting, and remain on the board for a short period to ensure a smooth transition.) On appointment, Henderson will also join the management engagement committee and nomination committee.

Henderson has more than 30 years’ experience in finance, accounting and audit, having worked at KPMG, Arthur Andersen and Deutsche Bank). She is currently chair of JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth and Income plc (anticipated to retire in October 2024), and a non-executive director of abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust plc and WAM Leaders Limited, an Australian listed investment company.

Henderson’s previous directorships include Scottish Building Society (which she chaired for four years), CT Property Trust Limited, Bravura Solutions Limited and Adam & Company Group PLC.

The chair of International Biotechnology Trust, Kate Cornish-Bowden, said, “We are delighted to welcome Alexa to the board. She brings with her extensive global experience chairing audit committees for a number of financial institutions, including investment trusts.”