L’Hoest and EVS part company
Managing Director and CEO of EVS, not to mention co-founder way back in 1994, Pierre L’Hoest, has left EVS with immediate effect, with the company citing the challenges of growth as necessitating “a new system of governance.”
Here’s the statement in full:
Following his departure, the Board of Directors has modified the composition of the Executive Committee, now composed of Michel Counson, Jacques Galloy and Luc Doneux. Under the leadership of Pierre Rion President of the Board, the Executive Committee will manage the technical, commercial, operational, corporate and financial functions of EVS, pending the announcement of a new management structure in early 2012.
On Thursday, September 29, 2011, the Board of Directors has taken note of the end of the mandates and functions of Pierre L’Hoest (and of his company Belinvest S.A.), including that of Managing Director of the company he founded with Laurent Minguet and Michel Counson, a position he held since 1994.
During the last 3 years EVS has pursued a successful growth strategy of its activities based on its digital production and content management systems on the news, entertainment and sports TV markets. This strategy has lead to the development of new products such as the XT3 and XS platforms, but also the integration of new development centers including new media, archive monetization, MXF file mastering, and sport graphic analysis. This rapid growth in new market segments which was confirmed at the recent IBC tradeshow in September, has been marked by the doubling of the workforce in the last 3 years, both at the headquarters in Liege and abroad.
It is this impressive growth and prospects for the coming years that required a new system of governance. Since 2009, Pierre L’Hoest, the Board of Directors, and management of EVS have initiated a significant project to adapt the structure of EVS to allow the company to have all the advantages it needs for this new phase of growth. The establishment of the new team is a step in this process.
“The entire Board of Directors wishes to thank Pierre L’Hoest for the passion he has brought throughout his engagement with EVS, since its inception”, said Pierre Rion, President of the Board of Directors of EVS. “His vision for the products and on-going concern for ergonomic applications have strongly driven the success of EVS. The newly implemented Executive Committee, which includes the presence of Michel Counson and managers who have proven themselves, allow us to envisage the succession of Pierre L’Hoest with confidence. I will personally undertake the link between the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.”
Michel Counson, Managing Director and Co-founder of EVS, assumes the function of Chief Technical Officer (CTO). Jacques Galloy assumes the roles of Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Luc Doneux assumes the role of Head of EMEA, APAC & Major Events.