Bristol-based Ultrahaptics, the world leader in harnessing ultrasound to create a sense of touch in mid-air, has appointed IP Group partner Christopher Olds, who joins the company as chief financial officer this month.

Prior to joining Ultrahaptics, Olds was Capital Markets partner at IP Group, the FTSE250 listed intellectual property investment group.  During the latter part of his eight years at IP Group, he led the technology-focused corporate finance advisory team.  He was responsible for UK portfolio investor targeting and relations.  Prior to his capital markets role, he was group financial controller.  Before joining IP Group, he spent five years at PKF accountants and business advisors, where his last role was within the technical division’s financial reporting team. 

“We are delighted to have attracted Chris, who joins us from one of our major investors,” said Ultrahaptics CEO, Steve Cliffe.  “He brings substantial experience of managing investments in the hi-tech sector.  His financial background and his knowledge of both The City and global technology markets through his experience of supporting fast-growth businesses will be invaluable to us.”

“It has been exciting to watch the emergence of Ultrahaptics as a leading business in the rapidly growing immersive technologies sector,” said Olds.  ” I have been actively involved with the business for the past few years, including performing the lead capital markets advisory role on the firm’s Series B funding round in 2017.  This means I’ve been well placed to observe the company’s impressive growth and more recent maturation.  I believe Ultrahaptics has amazing promise.  I am excited to play my part in continuing its development.”

Olds joins the 100 strong team at Ultrahaptics at a time of rapid expansion and commercialisation of its products.  The company recently launched its first end-user product which provides a sense of touch in mid-air for gaming and immersive advertising.

He is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). He will complete his Executive MBA from Oxford University in May 2019, and holds an Honours in Financial Accounting and a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Accounting) from Stellenbosch University.

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