(Alliance News) - Healthcare software and services provider EMIS Group PLC said Friday it has appointed Patrick de Smedt as non-executive director and chair designate with effect on January 1, 2020.
He will be replacing Mike O' Leary as chair, who will step down at EMIS's next annual general meeting on May 6 after nine years in the role since 2011.
De Smedt was most recently interim chair at telecoms firm KCOM Group PLC for eight months from December 2018 to August 2019, when it was acquired by investment fund Macquarie European Infrastructure 6 SCSp for GBP563 million.
His most recent executive role was at Microsoft Corp, where he spent 23 years from 1983 to 2006, leaving as chair of Microsoft Europe, Middle East & Africa.
"I am extremely pleased that Patrick has agreed to join our board and to succeed me as chair. Patrick has a wealth of experience of the UK and global technology sector as well as of public company governance, which makes him eminently well-qualified to help the executive team take EMIS to the next level," O'Leary said.
Shares in Leeds-based EMIS Group were up 0.7% at 1,124.00 pence on Friday in London.
By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com
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