Access announces appointment of new MD

Colchester, UK - 20 July 2010 - Access, the mid-market consulting, software and solutions provider, has announced today that it has appointed Chris Bayne as MD of the company. Chris was the MD for Access' Solutions Division and formerly the MD for Armstrong Consultants before the business was purchased by Access' parent company, Access Technology Group (ATG) in 2008. He will take up the post with immediate effect.

The MD for the Software Division, John Beech, has been promoted to strategic projects director within ATG. He will work closely with the founder and group managing director, Alistair O'Reilly, and group commercial director, Chris Tossell on alliances, investment opportunities and M&A activity. The new appointments mark a milestone in the continuing evolution of the company.

Alistair commented, "Both John and Chris have worked tremendously hard over the past year and have successfully completed their remit leading the two divisions and taking us forward as a consulting-led software and solutions company. John was pivotal in running the integration project which saw five ATG subsidiaries come together under one brand and working with our director of innovations to further integrate the product portfolio. Chris has been key in developing our new consultancy and direct sales arm and will now manage the overall day-to-day running of the business. John will embark on further high-level projects within the group to ensure future business expansion and growth."

The move comes one year on from a total rebrand and restructure of the company, which saw a complete change in business model from that of a software developer with a reseller channel to a direct-to-market, consulting-led business software provider.  In February this year, Access acquired the HR and payroll software specialists Select Software, now Access Select, allowing it to penetrate new markets and further extending the firms consulting expertise and software portfolio.

At the same time, Paul Druckman was named chairman for Access. He had been a non-executive director of the company since 2004, when the business first started to accelerate through acquisition. During that period, Access acquired reseller businesses in Ireland and London alongside a manufacturing and distribution software provider.

Alistair continued, "Today marks a further milestone in cementing our position as a major mid-market business and accounting software provider. The new appointments will help drive business growth, both organically and through acquisition, helping us to achieve our target of £100m turnover by 2017. John's expertise in running high-level projects will help spearhead our acquisition strategies, whilst Chris' expertise across the consulting, sales and software side of the business will help strengthen our position as a consultancy-led business backed up and supported by our own IP."

Access' software range has grown considerably since it started developing accounting packages back in 1991, having broadened its appeal to a growing customer base and changing market place. Whilst accounting remains at the heart, its portfolio now includes project management, time and expenses, workflow management, CRM, HR, carbon emissions measurement and manufacturing and distribution software. The company has also embraced many of the latest web-based and mobile technologies.

Access' new business approach has seen it address the needs of an increasing number of larger organisations, helping them realise their business goals. This has resulted in Access remaining financially strong throughout the economic downturn, with its latest figures beating expectations.

For more information on Access call 0845 345 3300 or visit www.theaccessgroup.com. Alternatively, keep up-to-date by following Access on twitter, @theaccessgroup.

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