New CEO for Micro Focus

Gordon Peters
Monday, 05 April 2010 20:00

IT People - People

Enterprise software vendor, Micro Focus has appointed 30-year IT industry veteran and Nigel Clifford as chief executive effective next month. Prior to its acquisition by Nokia in December 2008, Clifford was CEO of UK-based software development and licensing company, Symbian.

With Nokia's acquisition, Clifford led Nokia's integration of Symbian and then became senior vice president strategy, technology & architecture, devices at Nokia. Clifford has also worked for Cable & Wireless, Tertio Telecoms Ltd and BT plc, and is currently a non executive director of Anite plc.

Kevin Loosemore, chairman of Micro Focus, said Clifford had 'extensive leadership experience having been a chief executive of various companies for more than 14 years, nine of which have been in the software industry.

'Following an extensive search, characterised by high quality candidates, I am delighted to welcome Nigel to Micro Focus.  Nigel's experience of large scale and complex environments mean he is ideally qualified to lead the company through its next phase of development and growth.  Nigel is a valuable addition to the board and I look forward to working with him to further strengthen Micro Focus' operational execution; to address the considerable market opportunity available to the company; and to continue to deliver compelling financial returns.'

According to Loosemore, in Clifford's time at Symbian, the company trebled revenues and became the international leader in advanced mobile operating systems. In addition, Clifford has held leadership roles at Cable & Wireless, Tertio Telecoms Ltd and BT plc.