The board of directors

Francis Small

Non-Executive Chairman

Francis had a 36-year executive career at Ernst & Young, where he undertook a variety of international roles including serving on the EY Global Board, leading the UK Corporate Finance business and operating as Managing Partner of European Transaction Advisory Services.

After departing EY in 2015 to pursue a portfolio career, Francis currently serves as a non-executive director on the board of AIM-listed software business 1Spatial plc and as Chair of the Board of Governors of Kingston University.

Francis studied Law at Cambridge University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Nicholas Jarmany

Non-Executive Deputy Chairman

Nick is a founding director of Quixant and has brought extensive management experience and computer engineering knowledge to the Company. Nick has a background in the technology industry and he was employed by Densitron Technologies PLC for 22 years. In this time he held numerous roles in design, engineering, sales and, finally, as Group Technical Director. Nick had overall responsibility for Densitron’s gaming business strategy, led the design process and negotiated with key suppliers and customers in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Nick has an honours degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Sheffield.

Jon Jayal

Chief Executive Officer

Jon Jayal was one of the key members of the design team which developed Quixant’s first product, the QX-10. Jon left Quixant in 2006 to broaden his experience in the financial sector, both as an investment consultant at Mercer Limited and as account manager at BlackRock, Inc. He re-joined Quixant in July 2012 as General Manager of Quixant plc and latterly Chief Operating Officer and is based at the Company’s UK headquarters in Cambridge. The Director’s believe that Jon’s deep knowledge of the technology that is the foundation of QXT’s business together with his wider financial and managerial experience means he is well positioned as part of the management team.

Jon is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has a first-class honours degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Warwick.

Johan Olivier

Chief Financial Officer

Johan is a seasoned public company finance professional.  Prior to joining Quixant, Johan operated as Group Finance Director at XP Power, the FTSE250 designer and manufacturer of power components, and was responsible for financial planning, reporting and treasury functions. Johan also served as XP Power’s Acting CFO while the company was seeking a permanent candidate.  Earlier in his career, Johan held finance roles at Logica plc and Finastra after beginning his career at PwC.

Johan obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and Accounting and a Post Graduate Degree in Accounting from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.  Johan is a certified Chartered Accountant

Gary Mullins

Non-Executive Director

Gary is a founding director of Quixant and has a proven track record in technology sales and marketing. He was employed by Densitron Technologies PLC for more than 10 years in sales and marketing. At Densitron, Gary was responsible for securing contracts with numerous multi-nationals. Gary has a proven track record of winning large orders for technical products from major companies. Prior to founding Quixant, he was sales director at NTera Limited, a nanotech electronic paper displays developer.

Gary has an honours degree in Electronic Systems from the Royal Military College of Science.

Duncan Penny

Non-Executive Director

Duncan Penny has an exceptional track record of scaling businesses and delivering shareholder value. Duncan served as Chief Executive Officer at XP Power from February 2003 to December 2020, and was previously its Finance Director from April 2000 to 2003. He led the business through transformational growth to being a constituent of the FTSE 250 with a market cap in excess of £1bn. Duncan also served as a Non-Executive Director on the board of Videndum plc (formerly The Vitec Group plc) until May 2022. Earlier in his career, Duncan held senior roles with Dell Computer Corporation and LSI Logic Corporation. Duncan has an MA in Chemistry from Oxford University.

Carol Thompson

Non-Executive Director

Carol brings to Quixant significant finance expertise following a 20-year career in senior finance roles in both private and public companies, as well as strong technology industry experience. Between 2011 and 2015 she held the position of Chief Financial Officer at SSP plc, a global software company. Prior to SSP plc, she was Chief Financial Officer at Electricity North West, and also served as Group Finance Director at The Tote and IT and Finance Director at Stanley Leisure plc. Carol is currently the Executive Chair and Chair of the Audit Committee at Maintel plc. Carol also acts as a strategic and transaction advisor to private equity. Carol is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Guy van Zwanenberg

Non-Executive Director

Guy has 40 years’ experience in industry and practice. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Grant Thornton and then spent three years working with James Gulliver. Guy subsequently moved to become UK Finance Director of an American computer accessory company which was taken public in 1989. In 1991, he established his own interim financial management business and has since been involved in a number of SME businesses providing strategic and financial help. He joined Gaming King PLC in 1998 on a part time basis as Finance Director and became Company Secretary and non-executive director in 2006, remaining as a non-executive director when the company listed on AIM as Sceptre Leisure PLC in 2008, and where he sits on the Audit and Remuneration committees.

Guy is both a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Chartered Director.