USKO, the JSE listed IT group, has announced a number of key management appointments as a platform for the group to evolve into a truly globally competitive IT player.
With immediate effect Tony Kaleb has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO), reporting to John Beck, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the USKO Group.
Prior to his new appointment, Tony Kaleb, an Executive Director of the company, headed the Software and Services Division, which included USKOTEC, Spearhead and USKO Software. His new appointment expands his portfolio to include the operational management of the Communications and E-Commerce divisions within the group.
In confirming the new appointments Beck said that Kaleb was ideally suited for the task at hand which required a healthy mix of entrepreneurial flair, coupled with a strength in tactical professional management techniques. "He has had extensive experience in the IT sector and, as a leading entrepreneur, has held top executive positions in the Barlow`s IT group and Sybase. He was formerly the CEO of Denel Informatics and engineered their conversion to a profit orientated group which was renamed Arial Technologies," said Beck "This appointment will enable me to re-focus my own energies on significant local and international growth opportunities and to meet the overall objectives of our strategic direction."
Beck said he would also be devoting more time and energy to major corporate customers and the internal employee engagement process. "Following our transition from electrical to IT we now see the building blocks coming into line and these changes will provide a solid foundation from which to orchestrate the next phase in USKO`s evolution into a leading producer of IT solutions."
Beck will also retain responsibility for Bytes Technology Group in the United Kingdom, with CEO Shaun Frohlich reporting directly to him.
In order to support this strategic thrust the group`s executive committee structure, as well as its specific functions, roles and responsibilities, have been reorganised. Peter Riskowitz, previously the group`s Commercial Director, has been appointed Group Financial Director.
Riskowitz will be responsible for finance, treasury and accounting, legal, secretarial and commercial activities, as well as enterprise-wide IT and organisational development.
Paul Wootten, Executive Director, Strategic Business Development, now takes on a less operational role and will support Beck in focusing and advancing the company`s growth strategy. His responsibilities include new business development opportunities and commercial ventures, corporate marketing and communications, as well as the development of the strategic direction of the group`s overall technology and business focus.
Tom Pegrume, previously the Group Marketing Executive, has been appointed Divisional Managing Director of USKO Communications. "In addition, it is likely that a Divisional Managing Director for the Software and Services Division and separately the E-commerce Division will be appointed in the near future," said Beck.
He added that the new management structure would significantly enhance the performance of USKO`s core operating businesses and at the same time enable the group to focus its attention on energising its strategic objectives as it accelerated into the new millennium.
"We now have a good platform from which to move aggressively forward," he said. " The recently announced strategic alliance with the Altron Group, together with these moves, will strengthen USKO`s ability to support its ongoing market thrust both locally and abroad."
USKO Ltd, one of SA`s leading listed IT groups, has the services, resources, and products necessary to offer the business sector a complete e-business solution. This offering is supported by the 3 main divisions of USKO Ltd, namely: Communications, Software & Services and e-Commerce.
USKO Communications focuses on delivering the infrastructures and methodologies for Networking, Internet services and MS Business Solutions.
USKO Software and Services provides solutions in the areas of Business Intelligence, Customer Relationship Management, ERP and large-scale development, all based on world-class products.
USKO e-Commerce offers creative, technical and business strategy services that include management consulting, business strategy planning, Web development and design, as well as application development and integration. This division is also the home of USKO`s transaction switching solutions.
The integration of these core competencies, backed by leading-edge technology, makes USKO the IT partner for the new millenium. For more information, take a look at USKO`s web site on http://www.USKO.com
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