11 Jan 2012
Wireless Logic teams up with John Hawkins as new Chairman
Wireless Logic teams up with John Hawkins as new Chairman
Wireless Logic is the leading specialist in machine to machine (M2M) connectivity. Wireless Logic was sold in July 2011 by Peter Jones CBE to ECI Partners ('ECI'), the UK mid-market private equity firm, and existing management for £35m.
London: Wireless Logic Ltd (http://wirelesslogic.com), has appointed John Hawkins as its new Chairman.
Wireless Logic is the leading specialist in machine to machine (M2M) connectivity, partnering with all the major mobile networks including Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile and Telenor. The organisation supports over 3,600 customers with SIM-based communication solutions, allowing machines to transmit and receive information instantaneously. Wireless Logic was sold in July 2011 by Peter Jones CBE to ECI Partners ('ECI'), the UK mid-market private equity firm, and existing management for £35m.
John Hawkins brings a wealth of experience as Chairman and CEO of both private equity backed and public companies. With a 35 year background in technology and telecommunications. He was Chairman of Genus Plc from 2004 until the end of 2010, where under his stewardship the Company grew its market capitalisation from £60M to over £500M and increased profits tenfold. Genus progressed from OFFEX to AIM to become a FTSE250 company within this time. John Hawkins was appointed Chairman of Psion Plc in 2009 and in May 2011 became Executive Chairman of Vislink PLC. He has previously held Chief Executive and senior board roles at a number of leading software specialists including Atex, Salamander, Graseby PLC and Anite Group Plc.
Co-founder and Managing Director Oliver Tucker, Wireless Logic comments:
“In John Hawkins, we have appointed a chairman with a formidable background in growing shareholder value. I am confident that he will deliver the finest leadership as the organisation evolves on its strategy for growth.”
Co-founder and Sales & Marketing Director, EMEA, Philip Cole, Wireless Logic comments: “John Hawkins brings strong international experience which we will draw upon as Wireless Logic implements its European rollout. This is a vital appointment for the organisation and we look forward to his stewardship in the months ahead.”
John Hawkins comments: “Wireless Logic is at the forefront of ‘The Internet of Things’. The global market sees outstanding opportunities for growth - with Oliver, Philip and the team at ECI, I look forward to working with the board as the business continues on its impressive growth curve.”
During 2011, Wireless Logic has been named in the 2011 Deloitte Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the UK, and placed 54th in the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 with 56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last three years.
About Wireless Logic:
Europe’s leading independent provider of M2M mobile connectivity services, Wireless Logic (www.wirelesslogic.com) works with systems integrators, applications/systems providers and end users, delivering specialist cellular connectivity including fixed IP, its own private network, and tariffs tailored to individual client requirements. Core markets include asset and vehicle tracking, metering, security, payment solutions, remote working, and healthcare. As a pioneering aggregator, Wireless Logic works with all of the UK major networks (O2, Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile), and is forging strategic relationships across Europe with MNO’s including Telenor. For more information, visit www.wirelesslogic.com.
About ECI Partners:
Originally founded in 1976, ECI (www.ecipartners.com) is one of the longest established private equity groups in the UK. With offices in Manchester and London, and a team of 21 dedicated professionals, ECI specialises in buy-outs, buy-ins and development capital deals of £10 million to £150 million. ECI is owned by its team and has total committed capital of over £1.1billion. It has provided funding to over 250 companies.
In December 2008, ECI raised ECI 9, ECI’s ninth buyout fund which is £437 million in size. This fundraising process exceeded the original £400 million target in just three months, with over 90% of the capital being committed by existing ECI investors.
ECI has a strong track record of backing growth companies in the Software & IT Services sector, including Fourth Hospitality, CarTrawler, XLN Telecom, Ascribe, Clinisys, ClarityBlue, GK Communications, Language Line, MM Group, NCC, OSI and Guardian iT.
