There are moments in a company's journey that define what comes next. For Camena BioScience, the appointment of Gregory P. McGuinness as Chief Executive Officer marked exactly that.

Born out of Cambridge, Camena has developed gSynth®, a pioneering DNA synthesis platform designed to overcome the limitations of traditional DNA synthesis, helping accelerate AI-driven antibody discovery and the development of next-generation therapeutics. Having spent years building world-class science, the business had reached an exciting stage - one where commercial growth and operational scale became just as important as scientific innovation. Greg's appointment was made to lead that next chapter, driving the commercialisation of the gSynth® platform while scaling the business for future growth.

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"I've known Tom for a number of years, so when he approached me about the opportunity at Camena, I knew it was one worth exploring. After meeting the team and learning more about the company's vision, it quickly became clear this was the right next step for me. Hartmann Young made the process seamless from start to finish, providing valuable insight and support throughout. I'm excited to join Camena at such an important stage in its journey and look forward to working with the team to build on its scientific foundations and help advance technologies that can make a real impact on healthcare." Greg McGuinness, CEO, Camena BioScience

For many, executive search begins when a brief lands on a recruiter's desk. In reality, the strongest appointments often begin years earlier.

This search was a perfect example. The relationship between Hartmann Young CEO Tom Maskill and Greg McGuinness had been built over more than fifteen years. That long-standing relationship meant Tom wasn't simply recommending someone with the right experience; he knew Greg's leadership style, commercial mindset and, just as importantly, the kind of person he was. When Mercia Asset Management approached Hartmann Young to lead the search, that depth of understanding gave everyone confidence that Greg wasn't only the right technical fit for Camena - but the right cultural fit too.

"Knowing Greg for over 15 years meant I wasn't just confident in his experience - I knew he'd be the right cultural fit for Camena. That's the real value of building a network the right way. The appointment didn't begin with a search. It began with a relationship built over 15 years." - Tom Maskill, CEO, Hartmann Young

Relationships like these are exactly why specialist executive search is about far more than databases or job descriptions. Building genuine connections over many years allows us to understand leaders beyond their CVs, giving clients confidence they're appointing someone who can truly shape the future of their business.

Working closely with Mercia Asset Management, Hartmann Young delivered a focused executive search that resulted in the appointment of a CEO capable of leading Camena through one of the most significant phases in its history. As the company continues expanding the commercial reach of its breakthrough technology, strong leadership will be instrumental in transforming scientific innovation into global impact.

Greg's appointment reflects the importance of finding leaders who align not only with a company's ambitions, but also with its culture and long-term vision. While experience opens the door, it's leadership, character and shared purpose that create lasting success.

For us, this appointment represents more than another successful search. It demonstrates the value of investing in relationships long before they're needed. Because when the right opportunity arises, it's those trusted connections that lead to the strongest outcomes - for our clients, our candidates and the businesses shaping the future of life sciences.