Zapp Electric Vehicles Ltd. has appointed David Sturgeon as its chief financial officer designate. Upon the closing of the business combination (as defined below), Sturgeon will serve as chief financial officer of Zapp Electric Vehicles Group Ltd. (“Pubco”) and will oversee Zapp’s global finance, accounting and planning activities.
Sturgeon’s appointment adds more international expertise to Zapp’s senior leadership team as it nears the launch of the innovative i300 high-performance electric motorcycle.
Previously, Sturgeon served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of NASDAQ-listed Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. until its sale in October 2020. At Central European Media Enterprises Ltd., Sturgeon held a series of senior financial positions since he joined in 2005 until his appointment to executive vice president and chief financial officer from 2014 to 2020. With more than 30 years of experience working across multiple sectors, Sturgeon’s career has included leading diverse teams in large international groups as well as advising early-stage businesses in a range of technology spaces, helping them to improve the efficiency of their operations, raise funds and scale more quickly.
Swin Chatsuwan, CEO of Zapp, said, “I am delighted to welcome Dave to the Zapp team. He is an important addition in bringing highly relevant public company experience, with a successful career working internationally across a wide range of sectors. He is an ideal fit for Zapp and will help us to continue to prepare our business as we look towards the launch of the i300 motorcycle and beyond.”
Sturgeon said, “I’m thrilled to be joining Zapp at what is a truly exciting time for the company. I’m impressed by the technology and the level of engineering that goes into our products, which make the i300 an excellent fit for markets across the globe with high-density commuter traffic. I’m looking forward to working alongside Zapp’s team of automotive industry leaders toward the successful launch of the first in a suite of products that we think will redefine the electric two-wheeler segment.”
Sturgeon holds a degree in politics, philosophy and economics from Oxford University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Proposed Business Combination
On Nov. 22, 2022, Zapp and CIIG Capital Partners II, Inc., a U.S. publicly-listed blank check company, announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Upon closing of the transaction contemplated by the merger agreement, the combined company, Zapp Electric Vehicles Group Limited (“Pubco”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, is expected to list its ordinary shares on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “ZAPP.” The business combination is expected to close in the first half of 2023, subject to stockholder approvals and other customary closing conditions.
