John Hamer, Chairman
John Hamer joined the group in January 1983 and has been involved in all aspects of developing the business: software; financial; sales and marketing; and management. He has a BSc. Hons in Computer Science from Leeds University.

He was Chief Executive of the Group between 1992 and July 2001 when the Group had multiple business streams, each with its own Chief Executive. John Hamer became Chairman of the Group in July 2001 when the group focused on the Fidessa business by divesting the helpdesk and rostrvm businesses.

The Board considers the Chairman role to be similar to that performed prior to July 2001 when there were multiple businesses and there to be no conflict with Chris Aspinwall, the Chief Executive, who was already the Chief Executive of the Fidessa business prior to July 2001. John Hamer is also Chairman of Rolfe and Nolan Group Limited, a leading supplier of software to the global derivatives marketplace. He has no other material business commitments.


Chris Aspinwall, Chief Executive
Chris Aspinwall joined the group in August 1986 as a software engineer and was appointed to the Board in 1992. He became Chief Executive of the Fidessa business in 1992 and has grown it to its current world leading position. In July 2001 he became Group Chief Executive. He has a BSc. Hons in Computer Science from York University.


Andy Malpass, Finance Director
Andy Malpass joined the group in 1995 as Finance Director and has over 19 years experience in the software industry, with both private and public companies. He has a BA Hons in Accounting and Finance from Lancaster University and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.


Colin Amies, Independent Senior Non-Executive Director
Colin Amies joined the group as a non-executive director in September 1995 and was appointed Chairman in May 1996. In July 2001 he relinquished the role of chairman and became the Senior Non-Executive Director.

He has held various board appointments and is currently the chairman of DCS Group plc, a quoted software products and services company. He has extensive experience in venture capital focusing on the high-technology sector and also has experience of banking, electronics and telecommunications.

The Board has evaluated whether Colin Amies is still independent due to his length of service with the Company. After considering his experience and approach to the role the Board determined that he is still independent.


Alan Neilson, Non-Executive Director
Alan Neilson joined the group in January 1992. He was the Chief Executive of the helpdesk and rostrvm businesses until September 2000 when he became a non-executive director. He has over 20 years of sales, marketing and general management experience in the software industry.


Ron Mackintosh, Independent Non-Executive Director
Mr Mackintosh was formerly President and Chief Executive of Computer Sciences Corporation Europe (“CSC”), the European arm of one of the world’s largest IT services companies.

During his period at CSC, revenues grew from $180 million to $2.5 billion and the business was turned around from being loss making to generating profits of over $200 million. He was responsible for the operations throughout Europe with 16,000 employees.

More recently Mr Mackintosh has been a director at Gemplus SA, one of the largest smart card manufacturers, being responsible for a major restructuring and cost reduction programme. Mr Mackintosh is also Chairman of Differentis and a non-executive director of CSR PLC.

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