London-based Primary Health Properties (PHP), which invests in modern primary healthcare facilities, has appointed Ivonne Cantu as an independent non-executive director effective 1 January.

Cantu has significant public company experience having spent more than 20 years advising listed businesses. She is currently director of investor relations, communications and sustainability and a member of the executive management team and the sustainability committee of Benchmark Holdings, a biotechnology aquaculture company. She is also a non-executive director and chair of the remuneration committee at Creo Medical Group.

Cantu previously spent 13 years as a senior corporate finance advisor at Cenkos Securities, and prior to that seven years as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.

Peter Cole, a PHP non-executive director and chair of the remuneration committee is stepping down at PHP’s annual general meeting next April, with Cantu taking over as chair of the remuneration committee at that time.

PHP’s chairman, Steven Owen said: “On behalf of the board, I am delighted that Ivonne is joining the group as a non-executive director. She brings a wealth of experience in corporate finance together with sustainability, stakeholder and governance matters, from which the company will benefit as it continues to develop its ESG initiatives.

“I would like to thank Peter Cole for his commitment to the board which has benefited from his significant experience in corporate, development and investment activities. The board is also grateful for his role in chairing the remuneration committee, particularly during the process of internalising the management in 2020 and the transition period in 2021.”