New boss at Kcom

Stephen Long unveiled as comms integrator's new managing director

Communications outfit KCOM Group has appointed a new managing director for its national B2B arm, Kcom, as it posted a "solid" set of half-year results.

Stephen Long is leaving current employer Fujitsu to take the reins of the division from January, the Hull-based firm announced this morning.

For the six months to 30 September, KCOM Group posted a 1.9 per cent year-on-year rise in pre-tax profits on revenue that fell 4.7 per cent to £188.7m, which it said was in line with expectations.

Its KC brand, which covers its East Yorkshire telephony and broadband business, saw revenue grow one per cent on the previous year to £53.6m.

Revenue at Kcom, which covers its national business communications activities, slipped 6.9 per cent to £137.5m. Most of the shortfall was attributed to a £7.7m reduction in revenue from a one-off network build contract.

Executive chairman Bill Halbert said: "I am pleased to announce further progress towards our longer-term goals and another solid set of results, with profitable contributions from all our operating brands."

Long will build upon the foundations put in place by group chief financial officer Paul Simpson, who has been heading Kcom since the departure of previous managing director Paul Renucci.

Long previously helmed Fujitsu's UK Private Sector division.