Evesham founder joins Centerprise Group board

Richard Austin is the latest former system builder chief to join the aggressively growing firm, days after ex-Compusys boss becomes managing director

Centerprise Int'l Holdings has hired Richard Austin, the former founder and chairman of Evesham Technology, as its first ever group marketing and communications director.

Austin’s role will involve working closely with the managing directors of the whole group including Adam Continuity, OnTop Media, OnCommerce, Partner IT, Centiant Int'l and Centerprise International.

His appointment comes hot on the heels of that of former founder and chief executive of Compusys, Sam Kazerounian, who sold up to rival Stone Computers five years ago, but was appointed as Centerprise’s new managing director last month.

Austin’s IT career began with the launch of Evesham Micros in 1983, which was later renamed as Evesham Technology. The firm went under in 2008, despite a multimillion-pound injection from former Time/Tiny founder Tahir Mosan.

In a statement, Austin said: “After an almost six-year absence I am thrilled to be back in the IT industry. I plan to use the skills I learned taking Evesham Micros from zero to £104m turnover to help Centerprise continue its success.

“It will be particularly pleasing to work with Rafi [Centerprise chairman, because], as well as being a close friend for many years we have worked together successfully in the past. Rafi and Garry have offered me a very exciting opportunity, which I thank them very much for. Since my introductory day at Basingstoke my head has been buzzing with ideas, I cannot wait to get on with it.”

Garry Stevens, group chief executive of the Centerprise Group, added: “This latest appointment is a fantastic move for both Richard and the Centerprise Group. We now have a solid group management structure to support each of the companies within the group, who all have their own experts at the helm. We are delighted to welcome Richard and look forward to his contribution to our overall strategy and success.”

As well as filling its management board with familiar faces from the system builder’s almanac, Centerprise has been on an acquisitive streak recently, investing in online marketplace OnBuy, and snapping up assets of Antech Direct Ltd, including gaming specialist YOYOTech, which went into creditor’s voluntary liquidation this month due to tough market conditions.