Milan, July 31, 2007 – Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. and Thomson Directories Ltd have announced the appointment of Andrew Hopson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from 21 October 2007. Hopson replaces incumbent CEO, Max Alexander, who has resigned from the company to join Engin Ltd, a telephony and broadband business based in Sydney, Australia.

 

Hopson, currently Chief Operations Officer (COO) with the publisher , joined Thomson Directories in 1995 and has over 15 years of senior managerial experience. He has served in positions of increasing responsibility with the company, including, MIS Manager and Operations Director.

 

Luca Majocchi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Seat Pagine Gialle, Thomson's parent company, comments "I would like to thank Max Alexander for the work done to innovate Thomson's products and sales and to improve the capability of the company to continue to deliver high value to our users and advertisers". He adds "Andrew Hopson is an experienced manager and will be able to lead Thomson's excellent management team and personnel and make Thomson the one-stop-shop partner for small businesses in the UK. The recent re-branding of Thomson directories, now The Book, the agreement with Nectar and the broad range of partnerships and agreements in the Internet space make Thomson’s offer unique and valuable for local advertising".

 

Andrew Hopson said: "I feel extremely privileged to be appointed CEO of Thomson Directories, a company and an industry where I have spent the last 12 years of my career. The business is well positioned for future success thanks to strong products and competent, committed team. We are a challenger brand, always innovating to offer more than any other directory"

 

-ENDS-

 

 

For further information please contact: