DIAMORPH GROUP –
CPM business

Directorbank supports Diamorph Group with four critical hires for its Composite & Polymer Materials business to drive further growth – a CEO, CFO, Operations Director and Chief Technical Officer.

Company background

Composite and Polymer Materials (CPM) is the largest and most diverse product portfolio within Diamorph Group, a global manufacturer of advanced materials backed by mid-market private equity investor Epiris.

Based in Gloucester, CPM manufactures engineered products that provide protection from wear, impact and electrical shock in transportation, defence, healthcare and industrial applications.

The brief

As part of a long-term succession plan, Diamorph required a sector-experienced, highly entrepreneurial CEO to lead its CPM business. Growth orientated with a strong commercial background, candidates would have the gravitas and capability to develop and drive the growth agenda with scalable and resilient strategies to deliver continued success. Strong interpersonal and influencing skills as well as an ability to lead robust market analysis would also be essential in creating a clear and coherent roadmap for developing the product portfolio, optimising route-to-market options and identifying strategic acquisitions.

The process

A full data-driven candidate identification and mapping process was undertaken, pinpointing targets from competitor and adjacent businesses and making extensive use of referrals from Directorbank’s existing Industrials network.

The result

Jonathan Wilkinson was successfully appointed to the role, joining October 2023. Jonathan is a highly qualified, results-driven, manufacturing and engineering business leader. His experience covers all aspects of leading a world class, international business from new product development and launch through to sales and distribution. Past roles include the CEO of Synnovia, a £90m revenue high-volume manufacturer of components and consumables, and CEO of BNL, a market leading plastic bearings engineering and manufacturing business.

Subsequent appointments

A strategic decision to restructure the Diamorph Group into two separate entities, each with its own leadership team, required the appointment of a new CFO, Operations Director and Chief Technical Officer. Jonathan instructed Directorbank to fulfil the search.

1/ CFO

David Bessant was appointed February 2024. David is a seasoned CFO with extensive operational and commercial experience from both listed and PE-backed multinationals which design and manufacture precision products for the automotive and industrial sectors. His career history includes 10 years as CFO of Concentric AB, a leading pump manufacturer.

2/ Operations Director

Kane Marshall was appointed October 2024. Kane is a results-driven executive, highly skilled in transforming organisational and operational business performance to maximise growth and profitability. His leadership experience spans the automotive, aerospace, defence, industrial products and electronics sectors including PE-backed Gardner Denver, a leading manufacturer of compressors and pumps.

3/ Chief Technical Officer

Dave Roche, a highly experienced manufacturing CTO, was appointed October 2024. David brings experience of managing engineering teams in R&D and NPD, driving technical innovation, budgetary control and strategic investment. Most recently he was MD of Penso Holdings, an engineering solutions provider which uses innovative technologies to deliver turnkey solutions across the transport industry.