Press Release
Steve Couchman joins Warwick Audio Technologies as Chief Executive Officer
7th November 2008
Warwick Audio Technologies, a UK-based developer of thin film loudspeaker technology is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Couchman as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
With an Honours degree in Electronics, Steve has held several senior positions both technically and commercially in a number of component and manufacturing companies and has a very good track record in business growth. He has extensive experience in start-ups, manufacturing, distribution and integration and has managed manufacturing operations, developed contractual agreements with subcontractors, closed new business, and built teams.
Steve joins Warwick Audio Technologies from Amicus Business Solutions of which he was Managing Director, a management consultancy firm specialising in improving the profitability of companies by implementing customer-focused strategies. Prior to this appointment, Steve was Chief Executive Officer for Instrumentel Ltd, a Leeds University spinout specialising in telemetry sensing and locking technology. During his post, Steve not only secured a £250,000 investment and negotiated a $65,000 contract with the US Office of Naval Research but also reached final stage negotiations for a further £1m investment and secured trial contracts with Ferrari, Leeds Dental Institute and Glaxo SmithKline.
Commenting on Steve’s appointment, Terry Swainbank, Investment Director of Synergis Technologies, part of the Porton Capital Group, the lead investor into Warwick Audio Technologies said “I am delighted that Steve has joined Warwick Audio Technologies. Steve brings with him a wealth of experience in manufacturing, closing deals and building small businesses. It is my belief that he will play a vital role in driving the Company forward”.
Steve Couchman stated “I am pleased to be joining Warwick Audio Technologies at such an exciting time and look forward to being part of such an innovative team in the creation of thin film loudspeakers”.
Warwick Audio Technologies, a spinout company from the University of Warwick has developed an innovative loudspeaker that is ultra-thin, lightweight and flexible yet inexpensive to manufacture. This makes them ideal for applications where space is at a premium. As they are extremely flexible, they can be contoured to fit complex shapes. Not only do the speakers have the potential to replace conventional loudspeakers, novel applications have been identified such as their use in wallpaper and in-car entertainment systems.
For further information on Synergis Technologies Ltd, please contact:
Dinali de Silva, Associate
Tel: +44 (0) 207 932 0727
Email: dinali.desilva@synergistechnologies.com
Web: www.synergistechnologies.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
Synergis Technologies Ltd. is as an investment vehicle
providing seed and early stage funds to help turn innovative research
from universities and leading Public Sector Research Establishments
(PSRE's) into significant commercial value. Many aspects of the commercialisation
process are difficult and new, from setting strategy to obtaining secure
funding. Synergis provides funds to bridge this gap, and through proactive
portfolio management helps build strategic value in the businesses
it invests in. In addition Synergis is almost unique in its ability
to provide access to follow on funding through its parent company,
Porton Capital. The financing capability of Synergis and Porton Capital
means that the companies in which they invest can grow without funding
constraints.
With its head offices in London, Synergis offers early stage and follow on funding for start-ups. With a dedicated team made up of former scientists, investment professionals, commercialisation directors and entrepreneurs, Synergis is able to understand the challenges faced by start-ups. Acting initially as an advisor to Porton Capital’s Synergis Seed Fund (SSF), Synergis is in the process of making investments on its own balance sheet.