Jackson returns in Tiny MD role

Compaq's ex-channel sales director Ian Jackson has resurfaced as managing director of Tiny Computers UK as the retailer's US operation balloons.

Jackson took up the role on 18 January, replacing Jon Gilbert-Harris, who becomes group managing director. Gilbert-Harris will oversee the ambitious expansion of Tiny's US retail operation, at present a bridgehead of six stores and a manufacturing facility. Sources at Tiny revealed the plan was to establish 100 stores on the west coast of the US by the end of the year.

A representative at Tiny said: 'Ian Jackson will report to Jon Gilbert-Harris. This has become necessary due to the expanding US side of the business.'

At the time of Jackson's departure from Compaq, after 10 years' service, he was believed to be taking retirement (PC Dealer, 23 September 1998).

He left at the same time as Hugh Jenkins, Compaq systems group product manager. Tiny declined to comment on whether Jackson had received the offer before leaving Compaq or whether Jenkins had also been approached.

Jeremy Davies, senior analyst at Context, said: 'Tiny must have made Jackson an offer he could not refuse.' He added that the US move was a huge challenge: 'The history of the US retail environment for UK companies is littered with disasters. Tiny will have to be careful not to come a cropper.'

Jackson was unavailable for comment.