EdTech specialist RM has appointed Mark Cook as CEO.
He’ll take up the role on January 16 and will succeed Neil Martin (pictured), who will remain as executive director to ensure an orderly handover ahead of the preliminary results being released for the financial year ending November 30, 2022.
RM is a leading supplier of technology and resources to the education sector and Cook brings extensive experience in business transformation and creating shareholder value.
After qualifying as an accountant and working in several finance roles, he moved into consulting, joining Xansa PLC, where he led transformation and systems implementation programmes for clients including the BBC and Boots.
Following this, Cook joined Getronics Group in 2010 taking the business from public ownership under KPN Telecom NV into private ownership under Aurelius Investments.
As group CEO, he and his team led the growth of Getronics, having refocused the portfolio and created a global technology digital services business, prior to its sale to a US investment consortium.
In 2019, Cook joined Capita plc as CEO for the People Solutions Division and latterly the Technology Solutions Division, a £650m revenue business, spanning Capita’s cloud, connectivity and resourcing solutions for the public and commercial sector.
He is also the non-executive chairman of Searchlight Consulting.
Helen Stevenson, chair, said: “I am delighted with the appointment of Mark Cook as CEO. Mark has a strong track record of transforming and growing businesses to deliver shareholder value.
“RM has leading brands, great people and strong customer relationships and the board looks forward to working with Mark to ensure we deliver on the significant potential.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Neil for his contribution to RM. The last year in particular has been a challenging period for the group, and the board is grateful to Neil for his exceptional efforts in stabilising the business in recent months.”
Cook said: “I am excited to be joining RM. It is a business with a rich heritage and strong market positions, playing an important role in the education of thousands of individuals across the UK and internationally.
“I recognise that there is much more to be done to deliver consistent value for all our stakeholders. My priority will be working with Helen and the board to ensure that this is achieved and ensure that the group takes full advantage of the opportunities in its chosen markets.”
Outgoing CEO Neil Martin said: “It has been a privilege to work for RM. It has great people who are passionate about the organisation and its purpose of enabling the improvement of education outcomes. I look forward to supporting Mark to get up to speed with the business.”