Four directors, including two founder members, have left the Software Connection group as a result of a rationalisation of the group`s top management structure.
Group MD Anthony Delport, head of information technology Steve Danker, founder of the Training ConnectionGary Chalmers and Rodney Burger, a buying director for the retail division, have all left the organisation.
ITWeb asked Philip Cowles, CEO of the group, and Gary Chalmers for comment.
Cowles said the fact that the four directors left at the same time was a coincidence, but went on to explain that it was the result of a rationalisation of the group`s top management structure. With a staff of 1 000, the group needed to strengthen its management and have specialists running each of the divisions, said Cowles.
In this process, some of the directors, who had been with the company since its humble beginnings, became redundant.
One of the newly appointed specialists is Malcolm Highland, former FD of Dion, who was brought in to run the group`s retail operation. It has grown to be a R700 000 business, after the acquisitions of Computer Superstores and Businessland. Highland replaced Anthony Delport, a founder member, who according to Cowles came from a one-store environment.
In October last year, following the group`s acquisition of Businessland, Karen Steinberg, Businessland founder, took over as MD of the Training Connection from Barry Smith, who also left the company.
Chalmers, who started the Training Connection and sold his remaining 50% interest to the group in August, said he left because day-to-day corporate management is not his ball game. "I started the Training Connection out of my garage. I`m an entrepreneurial, small-business type of guy."
The Connection Group is listed in the electronics sector of the JSE. Its share stood at R1.76 today, down 13.3 from last week. The group`s financial results for the year ended 31 May 1998 showed a turnover of R186 million and interim results are due to be released next Friday.
Share