Standard Life Aberdeen director Melanie Gee is to join healthcare investment trust company Syncona Limited as a non-executive director and chair-designate with immediate effect.

Gee will also join Syncona’s nomination and remuneration committees and work closely with current chair Jeremy Tigue over the coming months in preparation for his retirement on December 31, 2019.

The appointment process was led by Nicholas Moss, Syncona’s senior independent director.

Gee has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial advisory industry.

She is currently a non-executive director of Standard Life Aberdeen plc alongside her role as a senior advisor for Lazard, the financial advisory and asset management firm.

She joined Lazard in 2008 after 25 years at UBS Investment Bank where she led banking teams on transactions for many longstanding UBS clients. 

Gee’s prior board appointments include the Weir Group from 2011 to 2017 and Drax Group from 2013 to 2016. 

Moss said: “We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Melanie to the board of Syncona Limited and as chair-designate today as part of our board succession planning process.

“Melanie will be a strong addition to our board and we look forward to working with her to continue our strategy of investing in exceptional science whilst striving to deliver transformational treatments to patients.” 

Gee said: “I am very much looking forward to joining the Syncona board and engaging with its talented management team to help deliver their strategic objectives.

“It is an exciting time for the company and I am pleased to have the opportunity to be part of that as it builds on its impressive momentum of creating successful life sciences companies.”