Unisys appoints corporate transformation leader J Edward Coleman as chairman and CEO

Unisys Corporation today said that its board of directors has elected J. Edward (Ed) Coleman, 57, as the company's new chairman and CEO, effective today. Henry (Ric) Duques will relinquish his non-executive chairman's title but become lead director on the board.

Coleman succeeds Joseph W McGrath as Unisys CEO, who also held the title of president.

A 30-year veteran of the IT industry, Coleman is a recognised leader in driving corporate transformations and turnarounds in the inormatin technology industry, having led significant transformational and business expansion efforts at companies such as Gateway, CompuCom, and Arrow Electronics Enterprise Computing Solutions Group.

As CEO of Gateway, Inc, he successfully restructured the company through a series of strategic initiatives and tightly focused the business on its core markets, culminating in its acquisition by Acer Inc.

At Arrow Electronics, he led the company's expansion of its computing solutions business into international markets and grew its portfolio to emphasise software and services.  As CEO and chairman of CompuCom, an IT services and solutions provider, he successfully transformed the company's model to a services-led business from its product reseller legacy.

Earlier in his career, Coleman served in various roles at Computer Sciences Corporation, where he was instrumental in growing its IT outsourcing business and integrating the company's outsourcing, systems integration and management consulting capabilities. Coleman spent 17 years at IBM in various executive positions.

''Ed Coleman is the right leader to take Unisys to the next stage of its transformation,'' said Ric Duques.  ''He has a strong track record of helping IT companies successfully narrow their business focus and build on core strengths to drive revenue and earnings growth.  Throughout his career he has shown himself able to drive change from vision to execution, with a proven focus on operational improvement.  The Board is confident that Ed will provide the leadership needed to tap the company's potential and drive shareholder value.''

Coleman said,  ''This is a company with a long and rich heritage, quality services and solutions, deep industry expertise, excellent technology, and most of all, a highly talented and committed work force.  These are tremendous assets to work with, and I look forward to working with the people of Unisys to create an exciting new future for this company.''