David Shemmans BEng
(Chief Executive Officer)
Dave Shemmans, aged 43, joined Ricardo in 1999 as Senior Business Development Manager for Ricardo Consulting Engineers (“RCE”). In 2002 he was appointed Business Development Director for the Ricardo Group and in December 2003, Managing Director of RCE. He was appointed to the Board as Chief Executive Officer Designate and Managing Director International Operations in February 2005, and became the Chief Executive Officer of Ricardo plc on 4 November 2005. Prior to joining Ricardo he was Operations Director and co-founder of Wavedriver Limited (a subsidiary of PowerGen plc). He has also gained consulting and management experience in both listed and private companies. He holds a degree in electronics from UMIST and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School. Dave is a board member of the Electronic Leadership Council and Member of the steering group for the New Automotive Innovation Growth Team. Both organisations created in support of the UK Government industry strategy setting.
Paula Bell FCMA
(Group Finance Director)
Paula Bell joined Ricardo plc and took up the position of Group Finance Director in November 2006. She is 42 years old. Paula joined Ricardo from BAA plc where she was the Finance and Property Director for Gatwick Airport. She was previously the Director of Finance for AWG plc and over a ten year period at Rolls-Royce plc, Paula was Finance Director for various divisions before becoming the Business Development Director for their international Transmission and Distribution division leading on strategy, sales and marketing and a global merger and acquisition programme. Paula is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Paula was awarded the prestigious First Women Award for Science and Technology 2009, sponsored by the CBI, which recognises trailblazing and pioneering women in business.
Ricardo group finance director wins prestigious award for high achieving women
Michael Harper MSc, CCMI, FRAeS
(Non-executive Chairman)
Michael Harper was appointed a non-executive director on 24 June 2003. He is 64 years old. He was Chief Executive of Kidde plc until he retired from that position in March 2005. He is currently Chairman of BBA Aviation plc, Chairman of The Vitec Group plc, and a non-executive director and Senior Independent Director of Catlin plc.
Ian Lee BA, CA, CPA
(Non-executive Director)
Ian Lee was appointed as non-executive director on 1 August 2008 and Chairman of the Audit Committee on 18 November 2008. Ian is 62 years old. Ian is a former senior partner of Ernst & Young LLP in Glasgow, where he was primarily involved in leading and coordinating audits of listed companies and international groups. He was a member of the Ernst & Young governing Council for six years, and was a member of the firm’s audit committee. He was the Convener of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland Audit and Assurance Committee. Ian is a non-executive director of Clyde Process Solutions plc and is responsible for chairing that Group’s Audit and AIM committees. Ian is also a non executive member and a member of the audit committee of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Board.
David Hall MA, MSc
(Non-Executive Director)
David Hall was appointed a non-executive director on 21 February 2006 and he is the Senior Independent Director being Chairman of Remuneration Committee. He is 62 years old. He was formerly at the Boston Consulting Group, the international strategic and management consulting firm, where he started and built up the financial services practice, served on the worldwide Executive Committee, was Chairman of BCG’s ten global practice groups and had global responsibility for HR. David is also Chairman of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and a consultant to the Board of Hoare & Co, a private bank.
Mark Garrett BSc (Hons), FIMechE, CEng
(Executive Director)
Mark Garrett was appointed as Group Engineering and Products Director on 1 July 2008. He is 46 years old. Mark joined Ricardo in August 1998 as Manager – Gasoline Engines, coming from the position of Small Car Powertrain Manager at Rover Group. Since joining Ricardo he has performed a number of key roles, including Global Product Group Director for Gasoline Engines and head of Ricardo 2010 Consultants Ltd. Mark holds an honours degree in mechanical engineering from Bristol University, is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Patricia Ryan LLB (Hons)
(Company Secretary)
Patricia Ryan is 44 years old and is a qualified solicitor. Patricia joined Ricardo’s Legal Department in 2002 and was appointed Group General Counsel in 2005 and Company Secretary in November 2008. Patricia holds an honours degree in law from University of Westminster and is a member of the Law Society.
Hans-Joachim Schöpf Dipl.-Ing., Dr.-Ing., Hon.-Prof., Hon.-Sen.
(Non-executive Director)
Hans-Joachim Schöpf was appointed non-executive director on 1 July 2009. He is 67 years old. He was formerly executive vice president to DaimlerChrysler AG, head of Mercedes R&D and member of the board of Mercedes Car Group . Since retiring from DaimlerChrysler in 2004, Professor Schöpf has been appointed to directorships of BEHR, and TK Bilstein in Germany, Valmet Automotive, Finland and as a member of the advisory board of Mahle. In addition Professor Schöpf was a director of Ballard Power Systems in Canada until the end of 2007. He has also worked as an independent automotive consultant and is an Honorary Professor of the Technical University of Vienna and Honorary Senator of the Technical College of Esslingen. Hans is also adviser to Ricardo’s Technology Strategy Group.