Chief operating officer of Atex Alan Reardon has been appointed chief executive of the 37-year-old newspaper systems development company. He joined Atex in 2003 and is credited with an instrumental role in rejuvenation and the merger of recent acquisitions. With more than 30 years’ experience in the creation and delivery of business critical software solutions, he spent over 20 years in the manufacturing sector focussing on providing packaged client solutions designed to make a business difference. “In 2003, it was quite a revelation to leave an industry where packaged software was the norm, and to join the media industry where major publishers were still entrenched in complex project implementations and customised solutions,” he says. “I am pleased this has now changed with the fierce demand for instant results forcing transformation and focus on business benefits.” Since its acquisition of Polopoly in 2008, Atex has strengthened its position by doubling its digital sales in 2009.