David Lee's appointment confirms the Group's commitment to moving the business forward through continued technical innovation and development coupled with new customer and market initiatives.
Commenting on this appointment, Marco De Benedetti, Chief Operating Officer of Olivetti Telemedia, said:
"Acorn must develop its business if it is to continue to thrive in a very competitive, changing market. Acorn has demonstrated throughout its history that it is able to do this. The strategy set for Acorn is therefore continuing. Throughout the 14 years he was with Olivetti, David has made an outstanding contribution. I am delighted that he is taking on this new role."David Lee said:
"Taking the helm of one of the world's leading brands in information technology for education is an exciting challenge. Continuing the expansion of the Group's activities through Online Media and through our associate company Advanced RISC Machines is also a great opportunity.A chartered accountant, David Lee has pursued a financial career in industry for over 25 years, 20 of which have been spent in the IT sector.Acorn has a really talented team of people and one of my first priorities will be to work with them to identify and implement new initiatives to ensure the long-term success of the business."
During his time at Olivetti, which he joined in 1981, he was instrumental in establishing the company's in-house staff development programme, for which it was awarded 'Investors in People' status. Prior to joining Olivetti, he held senior financial positions with ITT and Hepworth plc.
He is 52 years old and married with two children.
Acorn Computers Limited: Founded in 1978, Acorn Computers Limited designs, develops and markets appropriate technologies to identified markets and is one of the world's leading suppliers of information technology to education. The first supplier of low-cost 32-bit RISC based personal computers in 1987, Acorn remains one of the most cost-effective research and development organisations in the industry, renowned for technology innovation which has led to the formation of Advanced RISC Machines Ltd and Online Media.
Online Media: Online Media is a division of Acorn Computer Group Plc and has the full strategic backing of Acorn's parent company, Olivetti. Established in July 1994, Online Media provides innovative affordable interactive television products in hardware, enabling software and services to meet the requirements of the markets emerging from the information superhighway. The company focuses on cost competitive designs, which exploit emerging standards and its first product, an intelligent digital set-top box, is already in production and in use. Alongside hardware products, Online Media offers authoring systems, services and consultancy in service development, as well as other areas. All Online Media designs are available under licence.
Acorn has a community of over 400 specialist hardware and software developers and has technological and commercial agreements with: AB Dick ITEK, Blue Micro - IBM Microelectronic Division distributor, Colourgen, D2D, Future Technology Devices International, Granada Microcare, IBM Personal Software Division, Kodak, Psion and Tesco. Online Media, a division of Acorn has partnerships with: Advanced RISC Machines Ltd, Advanced Telecommunications Modules Ltd, Anglia Television, BNP DDB Needham, BNR/NorTel, Cambridge Cable, DEC, ICL, ITN, Macromedia, Microsoft, NatWest, NOP, Omnicom, Oracle and SJ Research.