Versarien plc

("Versarien" or the "Company")

Appointment of Head of Research

Versarien plc (AIM: VRS), the advanced materials engineering group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Stephen Hodge as the Company's Head of Research.

Dr Hodge was previously a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Cambridge Graphene Centre at the University of Cambridge, Teaching Fellow in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Graphene Technology and bye-fellow at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge. He graduated from the University of Bath with a MChem in Chemistry and then obtained his PhD in Nanomaterials Chemistry at Imperial College London, before joining the Cambridge Graphene Centre in 2014. His research interests cover the large scale development of nanomaterial-based dispersions, inks, coatings and functional 2d and 3d architectures for their incorporation into flexible electronics, sensor applications and energy storage/generation devices.

Dr Hodge will be primarily responsible for overseeing all the Company's graphene and other 2d materials research and development activities, including the Company's participation in the recently announced Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre at the University of Manchester. He will be based as an industrial visitor at the Cambridge Graphene Centre, additionally fostering the training of students in graphene technology and developing joint projects.

Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, commented: "I am delighted that Stephen has been appointed to the newly created role of Head of Research.  He has been working at the forefront of graphene and other 2d materials development for some time and his leadership of our R&D function will ensure that Versarien remains at the very cutting edge of the development of 2d materials and their applications."

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About Versarien

Versarien plc (AIM:VRS), is an advanced engineering materials group. Leveraging proprietary technology, the Group creates innovative engineering solutions for its clients in a diverse range of industries. Versarien has five subsidiaries operating under two divisions:

Graphene and Plastics

2-DTech Ltd, which specialises in the supply, characterisation and early stage development of graphene products. www.2-dtech.com  

ACC Cyroma Ltd, which specialises in the supply of vacuum-formed and injection-moulded products to the automotive, construction, utilities and retail industry sectors. Using Versarien's existing graphene manufacturing capabilities, AAC will have the ability to produce graphene-enhanced plastic products.  www.aaccyroma.co.uk  

Cambridge Graphene Ltd, supplies novel inks based on graphene and related materials, using patented processes to develop graphene materials technology for licensing to manufacturers.  www.cambridgegraphene.com  

Thermal and Hard Wear Products

Versarien Technologies Ltd. has developed an additive process for creating advanced micro-porous metals targeting the thermal management industry and supplies extruded aluminium. www.versarien-technologies.co.uk 

Total Carbide Ltd, a leading manufacturer in sintered tungsten carbide for applications in arduous environments such as the oil and gas industry. www.totalcarbide.com