Graham Ferguson to Step Down as CFO of First Derivatives

First Derivatives (AIM: FDP.L, Euronext Growth: FDP.I) announced on Wednesday that Graham Ferguson has revealed his plans to step down from his position as Chief Financial Officer, effective 1^st January 2021.

Announced in a press release, Ferguson, who has served in his current role since 2008, has played a fundamental role in the development of the business. His decision to leave will allow him to dedicate more time to provide consulting services to Northern Ireland-based SMEs and focus on his other interests.
A Transitional Period
As Ferguson steps down Ryan Preston, the Group’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer steps up. Preston will be promoted to replace Ferguson as CFO and join the board from the new year. However, since it will ease the process of a smooth transition, Ferguson will stay on until the end of June 2021. Additionally, he will assist Preston with various initiatives to develop the Group’s growth strategy.
Prior to Preston’s new appointment, he served as the CFO for Independent News & Media plc as well as OVO Energy Retail. While at an earlier time, Tesco employed his skills as Group Finance Director in Europe as well as in other senior financial roles. Though at the beginning of 2020 he joined as its Deputy CFO.
Words of Thanks
In response to Ferguson’s announcement, Seamus Keating, CEO of FD, commented: “Graham has been a pivotal part of FD’s leadership team for more than a decade and has contributed enormously to the Group’s growth. He leaves with our thanks and with FD in a strong position. We are pleased to appoint Ryan Preston as CFO with effect from 1 January 2021, confident that he can build on the strong start he has made since joining the Group earlier this year.”
Ferguson said: “I’ve seen FD grow from a business in Newry with great ambition, to business-leading innovation in streaming analytics at a global scale. This development is a testimony to the quality of the people I have had the pleasure to work with over with the years and it has been wonderful to be part of this journey. In Ryan, I believe that the Group has a CFO who will be a valuable addition to the FD team and assist in delivering the next phase of growth.”