Ilion restructure forces management sackings

Networking Channon claims changes were implemented to maintain competitive edge.

Networking distributor Ilion's staff exodus has continued with thepetitive edge. ousting of sales director Lynette Summerfield and group operations director David Ives.

In the wake of an ongoing restructure, Summerfield and Ives had their contracts terminated on 5 November, along with four other sales support staff employed in Ilion's distribution division. A seventh member of staff resigned following the departures.

Other senior staff to have left Ilion recently include finance director Jeff Collard and European sales director Charlie Stewart (PC Dealer, 19 August).

Rob Johnson was appointed as UK managing director earlier this month, a post he held at Metrologie.

Wayne Channon, chairman and chief executive of Ilion, said: 'With the appointment of Rob Johnson I needed to ensure his skillset complimented that of people in the company. We needed a different skillset to the one Lynette was offering.'

Channon added: 'Over the past four months I have been restructuring the business. We need to maintain a competitive edge going into next year.'

He denied Summerfield had been unhappy about being passed over for the managing director role after Allan Mack left earlier this year, adding the restructure was about reviewing people's responsibilities within their roles.

However, an industry source said: 'Sales numbers have been down since March and Ilion has to try to drive down the cost structure.'

But Channon denied this was a contributing factor to his decision.

He said he was not aware of any plans for Summerfield to take legal action against the distributor, stating: 'I do not know on what grounds she would do this.'

A replacement for Summerfield's position will be sought, but Ives' role will cease to exist.

Johnson said he would be recruiting a replacement sales director but refused to comment on any other changes.

Summerfield and Ives were unavailable for comment.