| Board development
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| As announced at the time of our interim
results last December, the next stage in the development of
the successful iSOFT business will involve controlled geographic
expansion and an increased focus on product strategy to open new
markets. The Board recognises that these challenges require a
full-time commitment from a member of the Board and I am delighted
to confirm that Patrick
Cryne, iSOFT’s current Chief Executive Officer, will
take on the executive role of Director, Corporate Development,
to establish iSOFT as the global leader in health systems. |
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| As founder of iSOFT, it is Patrick’s
entrepreneurial talent, business acumen, and personal drive that
have shaped the iSOFT business as it is today. I am delighted
that these exceptional skills will now be targeted toward the
next phase of the Group’s development. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank Patrick
on behalf of both the Board and the staff of iSOFT for his contribution
to date, and I look forward to continuing working together as
we move forward in the pursuit of the exciting new expectations
we set for ourselves. |
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| Tim Whiston,
the current Group Finance Director, will succeed Patrick
as Chief Executive Officer. Tim’s
succession will come as no surprise to our investors, customers,
business partners and staff. He is a natural successor with an
excellent knowledge of the iSOFT Group business. The Board is
delighted that we are able to promote from within for these key
roles. As stated in our Interim
Report, these changes will take effect from this year’s
AGM in July. At this time the Board will announce the new Group
Finance Director. |
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| I am also pleased to announce that on 14 March 2003, Rene
Kern was appointed as a non-executive director to the Board.
Rene is a senior
executive with General
Atlantic Partners who, at the balance sheet date, owned 12.8%
of the shares of iSOFT Group plc. |
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| Our management
and staff |
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| I am proud to say that in our workforce we have some of the
computer industry’s best technologists and software developers.
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| This strong position is complemented by a high order of professionalism
and commitment across the iSOFT organisation. |
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| The achievement
of this year’s growth from the high
base set in previous years is testimony
to the resourcefulness and tenacity of
our staff and the management team. I thank
them all for their commitment to the ongoing
success of the business. |
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| Governance
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| Over the last few years, but more particularly over the year
ended 30 April 2003, we have sought to demonstrate that good governance
is a high priority for our business. We continue to modify and
improve our management of the business by reference to best practice.
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| Included within this year’s Annual Report we have our
most comprehensive report to date on governance within iSOFT.
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| We are concerned
not only to deliver good performance for
our shareholders but also to give confidence
that the business is responsibly and consistently
well managed. |
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| The fact that iSOFT Group plc is a quality business with strong
fundamentals gives me great confidence that the success achieved
to date will continue to be exhibited into the future for the
benefit of our shareholders, customers and staff. |
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Roger
Dickens
Executive Chairman
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