HumanWare Appoints New CEO
HumanWare, the leading provider of information access products for blind, visually impaired and learning disabled customers, today announced the appointment of Dr Richard Mander as its new CEO following the death of Dr Russell Smith and his wife Marian in a plane crash in August last year.
Dr Mander is a New Zealander with a strong background in technology, research and product development. He has a particular interest in the human interface with technology.
Dr Mander worked for 14 years in the United States, including seven years at Apple Computer. After leaving Apple, Dr Mander spent seven years as a consultant advising technology companies on customer-centred product design and methods for improving product development. He has advised New Zealand companies on these matters and in 2004 received the World Class New Zealander Award from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. This is an annual award for expat New Zealanders who make an outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s economic development.
Dr Mander returned to New Zealand in 2004 and was appointed as Chief Technology Officer at Navman.
Dr Mander has a Ph.D in educational psychology from Stanford University in the United States. He is married with four children and lives in Christchurch. “We are very pleased to be able to appoint a person of the calibre of Dr Mander”, said Tim Robinson, Chairman of the board of HumanWare. “His experience in research and development and understanding of how products can be better designed to meet customers’ needs will be invaluable for HumanWare.”
Dr Mander said, “I am very excited about this opportunity and the challenges that lie ahead. HumanWare has some clever technology and great products. I am looking forward to working with the team there to take the company to the next stage of its development.”
Gilles Pepin, the CEO of HumanWare Canada, has been Acting CEO of the group since the death of Dr Smith. Mr Robinson said that, while HumanWare has a significant presence in Canada and is a global business, Christchurch is still the centre for much of its research and product development and the board wishes to retain the head office of the company in Christchurch. Mr Pepin had advised the board that for family reasons he is unable to relocate to Christchurch.
“Gilles has done an outstanding job as Acting CEO over the last six months,” said Mr Robinson. “He has successfully led the company through a difficult period following Russell’s death. We are indebted to Gilles and on behalf of the board I express our thanks to him. Gilles will continue to play a major part in the further development and growth of HumanWare through his role in Canada and as a director of the company.”
About HumanWare
HumanWare designs and manufactures innovative technology for people who are visually impaired and learning disabled. Formed in 1988, and formerly known as Pulse Data International, HumanWare exports approximately 98% of its products worldwide to more than 30 countries. In January 2005, Pulse Data and VisuAide of Canada merged to form HumanWare, one of the world’s largest companies in the blindness and low vision industries. Sales offices have been established in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, The Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand and the company supports a strong distribution network throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
For more information contact:
Tim Robinson
Chairman - HumanWare
Tel: 027 515 6024
Richard Mander
CEO HumanWare Group
Tel: 021 497 784