Regulatory News

OTAQ plc

("OTAQ", or the "Company")

Non-Executive Director Appointment

OTAQ, the marine technology products and solutions group for the global aquaculture and offshore oil and gas industries, is pleased to announce that Malcolm Pye will join the Board of OTAQ as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect.

Malcolm founded, and from 1999 to 2019 was Chief Executive of, Benchmark Holdings plc ("Benchmark"), the world's leading aquaculture health, nutrition and genetics business.

Malcolm has over 35 years' experience in international agribusinessthrough his various roles at Hillsdown Holdings (then HMTF Group), and through building Benchmark from the initial start-up into a major international aquaculture technology business serving the global salmon, shrimp, tilapia and farmed fish industries. Malcolm focused Benchmark's activities on animal health, breeding and genetics, advanced nutrition and knowledge/technology delivery and led the flotation of Benchmark in 2013, maintaining a lead role in investor engagement.

Prior to his founding role at Benchmark, Malcolm gained wide experience in the food sector from his various senior management positions within Hillsdown Holdings, operating in animal breeding, poultry production, feed milling and veterinary services. During this time, he developed extensive experience in breeding and genetics, food production/technology, sales (including account lead responsibilities within the UK / international retail sector with a range of bluechip companies including M&S, Tesco and McDonalds) and strategic M&A as well as holding a main board position within the Group.

Malcolm's work with Hillsdown Holdings in the early to mid-1990's influenced a career-long focus on sustainable food production which formed the basis and inspiration for the creation of Benchmark Holdings.

Alex Hambro, Non-Executive Chairman, commented:"We are really delighted to welcome Malcolm to the Board of OTAQ. Malcolm's experience in, and knowledge of, the global aquaculture industry is unparalleled, and will be of huge benefit to OTAQ as it develops and commercialises additional sustainable technologies and services for the aquaculture farming and producing communities. Our core SealFence acoustic deterrence system has significant opportunities for growth in geographies where Malcolm has built strong long-term relationships. Furthermore, his knowledge of additional farmed species other than salmon will be extremely helpful as we expand our range of products ."

Aside from the information set out in the announcement above, no further information is required to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13R.

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About OTAQ

OTAQ is a highly innovative marine technology company focused on the marine aquaculture, offshore energy, renewables and oceanographic research sectors. It operates in four worldwide locations: Lancaster, Aberdeen and Ulverston in the UK and Puerto Montt in Chile.

OTAQ's marine technology portfolio includes a market-leading intelligent acoustic deterrent system, Sealfence, designed to protect marine-based aquaculture sites from predation, with multiple systems deployed in Scotland, Chile, Finland and Russia.

The Company's Oceansense leak detection systems have a global reputation as the industry standard solution and have been deployed successfully on hundreds of jobs. OTAQ's Dragonfish laser measurement system is fast becoming recognised as one of the most accurate underwater precision laser measurement systems available. OTAQ also has significant experience in the design and manufacture of underwater connectors, penetrators and communication systems.

It seeks to develop and continuously improve its products using its specialist mechanical, electronic and software engineers with decades of experience in bringing underwater technology products to market. Concurrently, OTAQ seeks to expand its technology portfolio through acquisitive growth, with the aim of further expanding its aquaculture and offshore product offering.

OTAQ is proud to be fully ISO 9001:2015 accredited through DNV-GL. ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised quality management system and demonstrates OTAQ's commitment to consistency, continual improvement and customer satisfaction. The certification also demonstrates its ability to consistently deliver products and services to market whilst meeting statutory and regulatory requirements by applying an effective quality management system.