Ex Scottish minister takes job at Bloxx

Former MSP Jim Mather returns to IT industry after stint in front-line Scottish politics

Web filtering vendor Bloxx has drafted in former Scottish politician, and channel stalwart, Jim Mather to help it meet its "ambitious" growth plans.

The Livingston-based firm has tasked the former Scottish enterprise minister with providing it with strategic guidance in his role as non-executive director.

Mather (pictured) is no stranger to the channel, having built and sold Scottish reseller Computers for Business in the 1980s and 1990s. He has also held senior sales and marketing roles at IBM.

The 64-year-old became an MSP in 2003 but left front-line politics in May.

Mather said: "Bloxx is an ambitious Scottish and US-based company that has developed unique technology, which has enabled it to gain a strong foothold in the IT security market currently worth $15bn annually.

"It is an extremely interesting time to be joining the board of Bloxx. I'm looking forwards to working with the senior management team to drive forwards the company's ambition to increase its UK market share and support the significant in-roads it is already making in North America and Europe."

Ian McNair, chairman of Bloxx, said: "Jim's appointment is a further signal to the market that Bloxx means business and maintains our drive forwards with innovation and sales growth."