Press Release
Andrew Waterfall joins Warwick Warp as Chief Executive Officer
12 November 2008
Warwick Warp Ltd, a UK-based developer of novel fingerprint recognition technology is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Waterfall as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Andrew joins Warwick Warp from Improvision Ltd where he was founding partner and CEO. Improvision was set up in 1990 as a distributor of desktop computer imaging products to the UK’s industrial and life sciences imaging markets. Improvision then went from being a general imaging company to a niche UK bio-imaging company by developing a proprietary life sciences software product. By process of innovation, market focus and identifying future opportunities, Andrew implemented plans that established Improvision as a world leader in the international bio-imaging market. Andrew managed the financial resources of the company to achieve market success with profitable organic growth on an initial £30k investment without requiring extensive bank loans or venture capital funds. Andrew successfully completed the sale of Improvision in 2007 to the PerkinElmer group, a $1.5bn turnover company.
Prior to setting up Improvision, Andrew has held several sales and managerial roles relating to biological software products. He has an Honours degree in Genetics and spent two years as a Clinical Cytogeneticist for the NHS after leaving University.
Commenting on Andrew’s appointment, Terry Swainbank, Investment Director of Synergis Technologies, part of the Porton Capital Group, the lead investor into Warwick Warp said “I am delighted that Andrew has joined Warwick Warp. As CEO of a highly successful multi-national software imaging company, Andrew has demonstrated his capability as a successful entrepreneur and business manager. His strong commercial background together with extensive knowledge of the European and US software markets will make him a valuable addition to the Warwick Warp team”.
Andrew Waterfall stated “I am pleased to be joining Warwick Warp at this exciting time and hope that my skills will contribute significantly to such an innovative team in the development of novel biometrics solutions”.
Li Wang, CTO, Warwick Warp added “Andrew brings with him a wealth of experience, particularly in business strategy, sales and marketing. We look forward to having him on board to drive the business forward.
Warwick Warp Ltd, a spinout company from the University of Warwick, has
developed a novel fingerprint recognition technology that significantly
improves the level of accuracy of identifying individuals over current competitor
systems. Warwick Warp has developed a range of novel algorithms that improve
both the matching accuracy and speed of the fingerprint recognition process.
The design of the company’s software algorithms is based on the shortcomings
of current systems such as their inability to deal with poor quality fingerprints
- Ends -
For further information on Synergis Technologies Ltd, please contact:
Dr Dinali de Silva, Associate
Tel: +44 (0) 207 932 0727
Email: dinali.desilva@synergistechnologies.com
Web: www.synergistechnologies.com
For further information on Warwick Warp Ltd. and all other media enquiries,
please contact:
Dr Li Wang
Tel: + 44 (0) 2476 696869
Email: li.wang@warwickwarp.com
Web: www.warwickwarp.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
Synergis Technologies Ltd. is a privately-owned early-stage
investment firm based in London providing seed capital to technology
commercialisation ventures principally originating from the UK’s
leading public sector research establishments and research-focused
universities. Synergis, part of the Porton Capital Group identifies
exciting opportunities underpinned by strong IP from spin-out companies
to drive commercial exploitation and build strong management teams
to execute deliverable market strategies.
Synergis seeks to take these opportunities from the laboratory to the
marketplace with speed and continuity of capital, generating substantial
investment returns by becoming involved very early as a proactive investor
and partner. Synergis has established valuable access to this highly prized
public research base and is dedicated to finding and funding a compelling
pipeline of cutting-edge technologies.