DiscoverIE Regulatory News (DSCV)

29 Mar 2005 07:00

Acal PLC29 March 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 29 March 2005 ACAL plc (The leading pan-European value-added distributor providing specialistdesign-in, sales and marketing services for international suppliers in the fieldof Electronic Components, I.T. Products, I.T. Parts and Industrial Controls) Retirement of John Curry and Appointment of Richard Moon as Non-Executive Chairman As foreshadowed at the time of the announcement of its interim results on 6December 2004, Acal plc announces the retirement of John Curry as Chairman and aDirector of the Company, and the appointment of Richard Moon as Non-ExecutiveChairman with effect from 1 April 2005. John Curry and Tony Laughton, Chief Executive of Acal, together founded Acalsome 18 years ago. Richard Moon, who joined the Board of Acal plc as a Non-Executive Director on 1September 2004 and became Non-Executive Deputy Chairman on 6 December 2004, hasa wealth of experience in the electronics industry with an impressive trackrecord in Defence, Civil Aerospace, Telecoms, Information Technology andServices as Managing Director, Chief Executive and Chairman. These roles werewith blue chip companies such as Thorn EMI, Racal, where he was on the main plcBoard, and Thales, where he was Chief Executive of Thales plc and a member ofthe Executive Board in Paris. He was also a member of the National DefenceIndustry Council during 2001 and a Vice President of the Federation ofElectronics Industry. Since leaving Thales in 2002 he has held a number ofnon-executive director or chairman positions in Continental Europe, with IFCOSystems NV and Netia SA, as well as in the UK with Vivista Holdings Limited,Securistyle Limited, Oxford Bio-Signals Limited and e-San Limited. Tony Laughton, Chief Executive of Acal commented:- "Having worked with John since Acal's beginning, it is with great regret that wehave to say farewell. John's influence on the strategic direction of the Groupis well known, but as important and valuable has been his pragmatism, clearthinking and judgement. He will be greatly missed." "We are delighted to welcome Richard Moon in his new role as Non-ExecutiveChairman. His knowledge and international experience in the telecoms, aerospaceand other sectors of the electronics industry will be of value to Acal indeveloping the Group." For further information:- Tony Laughton Chief Executive 01483 544500 Jim Virdee Finance Director 01483 544500 Brian Coleman-Smith 020 7398 3300Beattie Financial Notes to Editors:- 1 The Acal Group is a leading European, value-added distributor providing specialist design-in, sales and marketing services for international suppliers in the fields of Electronic Components, Information Technology Products, IT Parts Services and Industrial Controls. Its value- added philosophy and geographic coverage enables Acal to provide specialist knowledge and support to customers on a pan-European basis. 2 Design-in is the process by which Acal's sales engineers work with customers and suppliers to procure components which meet the specific technical and performance needs of the customers. 3 Acal has operating companies in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and the USA. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange