Halma appoints new Chief Financial Officer
08 January 2025
Halma plc, the global group of life-saving technology companies focused on growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day, today announces that Steve Gunning, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has informed the Board of his decision to retire from Halma. Steve will continue as CFO of Halma until 31 March 2025.
In line with the Group’s succession plans, Carole Cran is appointed CFO Designate with immediate effect and will succeed Steve on 1 April 2025. Carole has been an independent non-executive director of Halma and Chair of the Audit Committee since 2016 and was most recently CFO of Forth Ports Limited. Prior to this, she was CFO of Aggreko plc, having held a number of senior finance positions within the business before becoming CFO in 2014.
Sharmila Nebhrajani OBE, non-executive director, has assumed the role of Audit Committee Chair with immediate effect, taking over from Carole.
As a highly experienced CFO, Steve was appointed to enable Marc Ronchetti, Halma’s Group Chief Executive, to give his full focus to his transition to CEO as well as to set the finance function up for future growth. With those priorities now complete, and with Halma well-positioned for continued success, Steve has decided that now is the right time to step back from his executive career.
Marc Ronchetti, Group Chief Executive, said: “Steve has played a vital role for Halma, and for me personally, enabling me to focus fully on my transition into the Group Chief Executive role. He has delivered strategically critical work across the finance function which has set us up for the next phase of our growth. I would like to thank him for his partnership and support, and wish him all the best for the future.
I am delighted that Carole has agreed to become our next CFO. She brings considerable experience as a finance leader as well as a good understanding of Halma’s Sustainable Growth Model, having spent nine years on our Board. Her passion for Halma’s purpose, our companies and our people, makes her a great addition to the executive team.”
Steve Gunning said: “I have really enjoyed working with Marc and the team and I am proud to have contributed to Halma’s continued success. My main goal was to support Marc’s transition, which has gone well and is now complete. It has also been satisfying to further focus the Group on return on capital and develop the finance function for future growth. Given the progress made, it is the right moment for me to step back from my executive career and I am delighted that someone of Carole’s calibre will take on the role. I look forward to working closely with Carole on her transition to CFO.”
Carole Cran said: “I am excited to be joining Halma as CFO and am looking forward to building on the great work that Steve has done. In my time on the Halma Board, I have seen first-hand the strength of the Group’s business model and the passion our people have for making a positive difference to people’s lives every day. I look forward to playing my role in further extending our track record of sustainable growth and returns.”
