AVMI boss departs following acquisition

Ed Cook leaves after Kinly deal

AVMI CEO Ed Cook has stepped down following the firm's acquisition by Kinly.

Kinly EVP of northern Europe Tom Martin will take on the role of UK managing director.

Cook (pictured) said: "AVMI and Kinly have always made a perfect match and so I am delighted to be able to leave the Company in an excellent position to become a truly global market leader.

"Despite the massive disruption from Covid-19, we have completed the acquisition and first phase of the subsequent integration.

"I am confident that, thanks to the tremendous hard work and determination of the combined team, Kinly will be in great shape to benefit from the upturn in our industry, that is bound to follow the defeat of the virus."

Cook joined AMVI in 2001 and built it into one of the largest AV specialists in the UK, with a global reach.

It was snapped up by Kinly in June, with the acquisitive Dutch firm claiming the deal created one of the top three AV powerhouses.

Kinly was founded in 2018 and is backed by private equity house Avedon Capital Partners.

Following the acquisition CEO Robbert Bakker told CRN that the firm will likely continue its buy-and-build strategy.