Liverpool city region supercar brake disc maker Surface Transforms announces appointment of new chief financial officer. Tony McDonough reports

has been named as the new chief financial officer of Knowsley carbon fibre brake disc maker Surface Transforms (ST).

She will join ST on September 5. For the past nine years she has been CFO for Cumbrian paper products manufacturer James Cropper. In all Isabelle has 30 years of experience in finance and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Isabelle joins ST as the stock market-listed company sits on the threshold of profitability. One of her key roles will be to help the business convert its £290m (lifetime value) order book into sales and its £393m (lifetime value) prospective contract pipeline into further new orders.

In April the business reported that it enjoyed “exceptional commercial success” in 2022. However, profits continue to elude the automotive supplier with production issues in late 2002 and early 2023 contributing to a full-year £4.8m pre-tax loss.

During the 12 months to December 31, 2022, ST did see a 116% rise in revenues to £5.1m. And its order book grew by £175m to £290m, offering a real prospect that profits will not be too far away.

Customers have included Porsche, Ferrari and Nissan. It is currently supplying brake discs for the Aston Martin Valkyrie which retails at £3m apiece.

“I am thrilled to be joining Surface Transforms,” said Isabelle, who currently holds no shares in ST. 

“I have been following the company’s progress for some time and I am very impressed with its environmentally cleaner, lighter, more durable, high performance braking technologies, and strong growth potential.

“My experience in finance and manufacturing can help Surface Transforms to continue to achieve its goals and I look forward  to working with the rest of the management team and talented workforce to build a successful future.”

Chief executive Kevin Johnson added: ”We are delighted to welcome Isabelle to the board of Surface Transforms.

“Her drive and financial leadership along with the strategic, governance and manufacturing experience she brings are well suited to our current and anticipated rapid growth.”