November 27, 2006

London, United Kingdom: Solarcentury Appoints Two New Members to Executive Team

System integrator, Solarcentury has appointed two new members to its executive team as the company moves to expand its operations in the UK and Europe. The company welcomes Derry Newman, former Senior Vice President of Operations Sony Europe and Managing Director of Sony UK Ltd., and Alan South, former Head, IDEO Europe.

Newman joins as Chief Operating Officer, bringing to the organisation 26 years of strategic and tactical experience in some of the worlds most successful blue chip technology companies. South joins as Chief Innovation Officer with over 20 years technical and leadership experience in innovation.

Solarcentury was established in 1998 by Jeremy Leggett. Specialising in photovoltaic innovation, the company has witnessed a phenomenal rise in demand over the past seven years and has installed systems for over 500 commercial and public sector projects and thousands of individual homes throughout the UK. The company works together with architects and engineers to design and install solar energy products that integrate within the fabric of buildings, to generate clean, on-site electricity and hot water for commercial, residential, industrial and public sector buildings.

Jeremy Leggett, CEO Solarcentury said, "An exceptional team is now forming here at Solarcentury. Derry and Alan are two highly successful individuals and accomplished technology leaders with proven expertise and we are delighted their experience will now benefit Solarcentury and the global renewable energy industry."

He added, " To have the commitment of two senior industry executives adds considerable weight behind the photovoltaic industry and further illustrates that this business is now in the mainstream of major growth. We look forward to working together on our new product strategy to both cut carbon emissions and change the future of our built environment."

"Derry Newman will focus on developing operational excellence and execution to deliver Solarcentury' s exciting growth plans. He was attracted by Solarcentury' s mission to combat global climate change through a successful business, this was reinforced by the high quality team and strength of the brand."

Having worked with Sony Europe for over ten years, Newman was responsible for considerable transformational change in the rapidly evolving and competitive arena of consumer electronics. In 1999 he was appointed Director, Customer Information Group Sony Broadcast and Professional before taking the role of Vice President, E-Business Sony Europe in 2002. He was appointed Senior Vice President Operations, Sony Europe in 2003. Newman was subsequently appointed Managing Director, Sony United Kingdom in June 2004. Newman's achievements have spanned outstanding commercial operational efficiency, strategic change in complex organisations and markets and e-business development, to commitment to social enterprise, charity work and improving links between schools and industry. He also achieved a 20 per cent reduction in air travel, and hence carbon emissions, by running a significant change project implementing e-meeting tools across Europe.

Alan South is tasked with the role of architect and champion of a company wide innovation culture and on providing strategic clarity around the product and service roadmap. He will define the pipeline plan, covering continuous testing and evolution of existing products, new variations of existing products, and new products. He is also tasked with developing a strategic plan and an internal policy for intellectual property.

South joins Solarcentury from IDEO, a company that has been independently ranked by global business leaders as one of the world's most innovative companies. IDEO is in the business of helping organisations in the commercial, government, education, and social sectors innovate and grow. Most recently, in 2003, he founded the Service Innovation practice for IDEO, with operations in San Francisco, Chicago and London. This practice has grown rapidly and has established a strong client base in financial services and telecoms.

Prior to this, South had strategic leadership for IDEO's business in Europe, and his work included mentoring the creation of IDEO Munich. Over the last 22 years, he has had exposure to hundreds of innovation projects. A respected innovation thinker and spokesperson, he has delivered executive learning programmes with Harvard Business School, and has presented strategies for innovation at governmental level.

Further details about: Solarcentury