Doug Edwards Named CEO of Xaar

Following an extensive international search process, Xaar plc announced that Dr. Doug Edwards will join the Board as CEO with immediate effect. As announced in March 2014, Ian Dinwoodie will retire from the company in 2015 after serving as CEO since 2003.
 
Dr. Edwards joins the company from Kodak, where most recently he was president, Digital Printing and Enterprise, and has been a member of the Executive Board since 2006. He started his career in the UK in a variety of technical roles with Ilford Limited, ICI, Zeneca and International Paper before moving to the U.S. 14 years ago with Kodak Polychrome Graphics (a joint venture company between Sun Chemical Corporation and Kodak). He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a PhD in conducting organic materials from London University.
 
“I would like to express my thanks to Ian for his significant contribution to Xaar since joining the company in 2001,” said chairman Phil Lawler. “Following a thorough international search, I am delighted to welcome Doug to Xaar. His appointment will strengthen the Board, providing the experience necessary to lead the company through its next stage of development.”
 
“Excellent progress has been made by the company over the last decade but the future opportunities ahead of the company in the world of digital printing are substantial, and I am pleased to return to the UK to take up this challenge,” Edwards noted.
 
“I am delighted that Doug is joining Xaar – he brings the right combination of industry expertise and management skills to head the company, and I look forward to handing over the reins to him in the coming months,” Dinwoodie added.