Drew Finch

Drew Finch has been appointed president and CEO of The Westaim Corp, replacing Barry Heck who becomes executive chairman of NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp, a Westaim subsidiary for which he previously served as non-executive chairman. Prior to the reorganization, Finch was Westaim's senior VP and chief financial officer for a 10-year period. The moves follow Westaim's announcement last month that it was reviewing its business strategy in the wake of poor financial performance by NUCRSYT and iFire Technology subsidiaries (R$, May 15/07). The executive shuffle was also accompanied by news that iFire was reducing its personnel to 50 and focusing primarily on its phosphor development projects.