Acorn Reorganises After Successful Launch of Online Media

Cambridge, UK. 26 August, 1994

Acorn Computers Limited, the leading supplier of 32-bit RISC based computers, has announced that it has restructured its business to focus on its major markets and customers. The education unit has significantly increased in size, in particular in marketing, and a new retail business unit has been launched. The reorganisation, which marks the continued growth of Acorn, follows the recent successful annnouncements of Acorn's Risc PC range in April 1994 and Online Media, a new operation within the Acorn Computer Group.

Sam Wauchope, Managing Director of Acorn Computer Group comments:

"This reorganisation marks a clear commitment by Acorn to get closer to its customers. By focusing on our customers' needs and building partnerships to address our key target audiences of education, concerned parent, professional and technology enthusiasts we will continue to deliver the highest quality, innovative solutions. This structure will also help international growth enabling us to export our technology and expertise into the global arena more effectively."
The Education Business Unit has increased in size and will have separate divisions focusing on the primary and secondary sectors. A new education division will target parents who are concerned with their children's education and looking to buy computers for their children at home. The education unit will be completed by a sales team, a support desk for the channel and an education strategic direction unit.

Peter Talbot, General Manager of Education at Acorn Computers, comments:

"The new structure of the education business unit clearly demonstrates our commitment to the market and gives us the largest dedicated education department in the personal computer industry in the UK. Our market share, understanding of, and expertise in, the current educational IT marketplace is unrivalled by any other computer company."
The company will add a Retail Business Unit to its established Education, Professional and International units. The Retail Business Unit will be headed up by Terry Shurwood who has extensive retail experience and will be building up partnerships between Acorn and players in the retail market.

Product Marketing will also now take responsibility for the Acorn enthusiast market and will be headed up by Peter Bondar. The Professional division, headed up by Simon Woodward, will continue to provide easy-to-use, competitively priced professional and sophisticated systems to the print and publishing sector via AB Dick and a number of Acorn Publishing dealers. The International Business Unit remains unchanged with Bob Coates retaining responsibility for developing Acorn's business overseas. The division will look for opportunities for Acorn to export its technology or expertise into international markets.

Founded in 1978, with 1993 revenues of £54.3m, Acorn Computers is the premier supplier of IT solutions to UK education and has been the leading provider of 32-bit RISC based personal computers since 1987. Acorn works closely with a strong community of industry partners, users and software developers to provide innovative technology solutions for the education, consumer, publishing and international markets.

The Acorn Computer Group is a holding company for Acorn Computers Limited, Acorn Australia, Acorn New Zealand, Acorn GmbH and Online Media. Acorn Computer Group owns 43% of ARM Ltd. Online Media, a division of the Acorn Computer Group, was launched in 1994 with the mission to design world class, interactive multimedia products.

© 1995 Acorn Computer Group plc.