Infoserve Group PLC
Bringing Business to You
Board of Directors
Infoserve is led by a team with a great deal of commercial experience and entrepreneurial spirit. Highlighted below are some of these key people.
Steve Barnes
Executive Chairman
Steve Barnes joined Infoserve in January 2004. He has spent more than 30 years in sales and marketing roles for companies such as Cadbury Schweppes and Quaker Oats Limited, and held board positions at Toshiba (UK) Limited and Comet plc. Steve was formerly the Sales and Marketing Director at Pace Micro Technology plc.
Steve's role is to implement the strategic goals and objectives of the company and to give direction and leadership toward the achievement of the company's philosophy, mission, strategy, and its annual goals and objectives.
David Hood, OBE
Senior Non-Executive Director
Technology entrepreneur David Hood founded Shipley-based Pace Micro Technology plc and plotted the company's growth through the 1980s and 1990s until its float in 1996. David also owns and operates Multiflight Limited, an aircraft charter, training and engineering company based at Leeds Bradford International Airport.
Derek Oliver
Operations Director
Derek Oliver founded Infoserve in October 1999. Derek has a technical background, and has held senior roles at Thorn EMI's television and video group. More recently he led Pace Micro Technology Limited's software engineering division.
Derek's role involves planning, developing and implementing strategies for operational and technical development so as to meet agreed company performance plans within agreed budgets and timescales.
Andrew Thirkill
Non-Executive Director
Andrew Thirkill is a Non-Executive Director of the company. He is chairman of Age Partnership Limited, a financial services company specialising in the equity release sector, founder chairman and CEO of ATP Advertising and Marketing Limited, a full service agency covering new media, and Deputy Chairman of Harrogate Town AFC Limited. Andrew was previously a Director of Ultralase Limited, a provider of laser eye treatment in the UK.
Mark Riley
Sales Director
Mark Riley joined Infoserve in April 2008 as General Sales Manager. Mark has over 27 years experience in media sales, specifically in the newspaper industry. Before joining Infoserve Mark was Managing Director of Ackrill Media Group from September 2002 to February 2005, and then became Managing Director of JP Letterbox Direct from February 2005 to December 2007. Both companies were part of the distribution arm of Johnston Press .
Mark's role as Sales Director is focused on overall sales revenues, and to continue to build a growing sales force with ongoing productivity and improvements, driven by high levels of training and coaching. .
Jonathan Simpson
Finance Director
Before joining Infoserve as interim finance director in June 2009, Jonathan was chief financial officer and company secretary of Ultralase Group Limited and its subsidiary companies. The Ultralase Group is a market leading laser eye care business. Whilst at the Ultralase Group, Jonathan had responsibility for finance, information technology, management information and acquisitions. He was a key member of the management team which acquired Ultralase in 2008. Between November 2002 and January 2007 he was financial controller of Ultralase and Ultralase Medical Aesthetics Limited. He qualified as a chartered accountant in 2001.