RM group MD Sirs jumps ship after three months

System builder's boss decides his departure is "in the best interests of RM" having been appointed in October

RM group managing director Rob Sirs has stepped down less than three months after his reappointment, citing "personal reasons".

He took over the role from chief executive Terry Sweeney, who exited the firm by "mutual agreement" in October last year.

According to a statement issued to the market today: "Mr Sirs has determined that it is in the best interests of RM if he steps down from his role. As a result, Mr Sirs will resign from the board and as an employee effective 31 January following a transition of his current activities."

The statement said the RM board does not intend to appoint a replacement in the near future but will do so "in due course".

In the meantime, the divisional managing directors will report to executive chairman Martyn Ratcliffe.

"The board would like to thank Mr Sirs for his 21 years' contribution to RM and wish him well for the future," the statement added.

In separate news, RM announced it has flogged its loss-making access control and cashless catering systems – part of the AMI business known as Easytrace – to Jonas Computing Ltd for £650,000.

RM has retained its Ranger school network management technology.

The sale is the sixth disposal for the firm including its hardware business of RM Group USA, LLC; RM Asia-Pacific Pty Ltd, Dacta, its minority interest in Lego Education Europe and its AMI business.