Board of Directors

Claudio Simao has more than 30 years of experience in the global semiconductor and technology industry, of which 18 years in various management roles at Hexagon AB, including Global Business Unit CEO, Corporate CTO and CEO, and President of the Ventures Division (2002-2020). Prior to joining Hexagon, Claudio founded and led 5 companies across various industries (1995-2008). Today, he serves as a Venture Partner at ETF Partners and advises various companies on their strategies and investment decisions.

Claudio graduated in Engineering and Physics and MSc in Mechatronics at the Polytechnic University of Sao Paulo and had a prior Academia technology-scientific career with various books, patents and awards.

Ronald Ayles has more than 25 years of experience in Private Equity and is a Managing Partner at Advent, a global private equity firm with more than $94 billion of assets under management. He is a member of the European Investment Advisory Committee and heads the firm's global Chemicals and Materials practice. Prior to joining Advent, he worked at 3i where he established the investor's Chemicals and Materials practice. Before moving into Private Equity, Ronald spent 10 years in industry at Degussa AG.

Ronald holds an MBA from the JL Kellogg Graduate School of Management and the WHU Koblenz (Germany), as well as degrees from ESB Reutlingen and the universities of Granada and London. He is also trained as an ‘Industriekaufmann’.

Bernhard Spetsman has more than 30 years of experience in financial executive roles, including CFO at Autobahn Tank und Rast, Oxea, and Röhm (ad-interim). Today, he serves as a member of the Supervisory Board of Caldic and Röhm. Bernhard started his career at the accounting firm Arthur Andersen.

Bernhard studied business administration at the University of Münster and qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Tax Advisor.