Coulter Partners Recruits CEO for Tristel
September 5, 2024 – Life sciences recruiting specialist Coulter Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Matthew Sassone as the new CEO of Tristel plc, a manufacturer of infection prevention products. He will replace Paul Swinney, the company’s founder and CEO of 30 years, who announced his plans to retire during 2023. Mr. Swinney will remain with the company for a suitable period to allow for a successful transition of leadership. “Matt’s appointment follows the conclusion of a competitive selection program and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Coulter Partners for their invaluable support throughout this executive search process,” said Bruno Holthof, chair of Tristel. “Finding the right leader for Tristel was a complex and challenging task, but their professionalism, dedication, and expertise were instrumental in identifying Matt Sassone as the ideal candidate. We are grateful for their partnership.”
“I am excited to hand the reins of this marvelous company to Matt,” said Mr. Swinney. “We have become the global market leader in manual high-level disinfection of medical devices and now have a foothold in the world’s largest healthcare market. Matt’s first-hand experience of North America will propel us to great success there.”
“In our time on AIM we have succeeded in increasing our share price by almost 12 times and have returned over 75 pence per share in dividends to our shareholders,” Mr. Swinney said. “I think we have created a great U.K. success story. I have had the great pleasure to work with an exceptionally talented and committed team at Tristel, who I am sure will provide their new CEO the same level of support and assistance that I have received. In the coming months I will leave Tristel in excellent shape, very well led, and as an enthusiastic shareholder of the company.”
Mr. Sassone joins Tristel from Masimo Corporation, a global medical technology company, where he was senior vice president of marketing. During his tenure at Masimo, he lived and worked in the U.S., gaining experience in the American healthcare market. Mr. Sassone has over 27 years’ experience in the medical industry in various sales, marketing, business development and senior management roles. He joined the board of AIM-listed cardiovascular monitoring company, LiDCO Group plc, in June 2015, becoming CEO in August 2015. LiDCO was bought for £31m by Masimo in February 2021.
Mr. Sassone started his career in sales for Quintiles in 1996. He spent 12 years at Smiths Medical in various sales, marketing and business development roles achieving the role of managing director, Northern and Eastern Europe and Russia in 2010 where he had full P&L responsibility for 300 employees and £150m of revenue. In 2012 he moved to ArjoHuntleigh, a division of the Getinge Group, as senior vice president global marketing and was chief marketing officer of Maquet (turnover £1.1 billion in intensive care, surgery and anesthesia systems), also a division of Getinge.
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“I am deeply honored to join Tristel as its new CEO,” said Mr. Sassone. “Tristel has a well-earned reputation for innovation and excellence in infection prevention, and I look forward to leading this exceptional business. My focus will be on building on Paul Swinney’s strong foundation, capturing global opportunities, and expanding our presence in key markets like North America. Together, we will continue to drive growth and deliver exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders.”
Serving the Life Sciences Sector
Coulter Partners is a board- and senior-level global executive search specialist focused exclusively on life sciences. The firm works closely with those at the cutting edge of innovation in the industry to understand their challenges. With an extensive global network and expertise gained over 25 years in the sector, Coulter Partners is a trusted leadership adviser in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology, diagnostics, health-tech, CRO, and services sectors. The firm also works closely with the global investor community, hiring for their own teams as well as building the boards and executive leadership teams of their portfolio companies. Coulter Partners’ team of 95 completes over 260 assignments a year working from 14 offices across the U.K., EMEA, the U.S., and APAC.
Bianca Coulter founded Coulter Partners in 2003 and has 25 years’ experience of board and C-level global search, building the leadership teams of early stage, mid-cap, and global multinationals in over 20 countries. Through appointing leadership, Ms. Coulter channels her judgment and expertise to impact patient benefit and assist those at the cutting edge of life science to achieve their goals.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
