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Cooke Optics Appoints Robert Howard CEO
Leicester, UK – 12 September 2008 – Cooke Optics Ltd., a premier manufacturer of precision lenses for the motion picture industry, has announced that Robert Howard has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer. In an interesting twist of fate Robert has already been instrumental in the company’s current success, as he helped Cooke Optics’ chairman Les Zellan purchase the company from Schroders Ventures (now Permira) in 1998. Robert joins Cooke Optics from his role as Finance Director at Megaherz Broadcast Systems, a company that designs and delivers broadcast and media systems including OB trucks and mobile broadcast facilities. Prior to that he held the position of Finance Director at pharmaceutical company William Ransom & Son plc where he increased turnover from £9m to £40m. He also spent three years working with Schroders, where he was part of a management buy-in team that purchased Cooke Optics from the Rank Organisation – which led him to meet Les Zellan in 1998. Les Zellan, Chairman, Cooke Optics, said, “Robert and I have stayed in touch since I bought Cooke ten years ago. I approached Robert earlier this year to help us as we take Cooke Optics to the next level. I know from our dealings in the past that he shares our enthusiasm and passion for the industry, and I am confident that his business acumen will help us achieve even greater success.” Robert Howard, CEO, Cooke Optics, said, “Cooke Optics has grown enormously in the last ten years and as such is an exciting company to be a part of. It has a very good order book and a lot of fantastic opportunities ahead - I look forward to taking it up a gear.” Les Zellan and Robert Howard will both be available to meet at IBC 2008, Booth 11.D10. About Cooke Optics, LTD. Cooke is a storied name in both cinematographic and the ultra-high-end professional photography markets. Known worldwide for their precision, exacting tolerances and superior quality, Cooke lenses are specified by many of the world’s most respected cinematographers. Cooke is also the developer behind /i Technology, the protocol enabling vital lens and camera information to be captured and passed digitally to post-production teams. Recent films shot with Cooke lenses include The Assassination of Jesse James, American Gangster, The Bourne Ultimatum, Live Free or Die Hard, Hairspray, Transformers, The Waterhorse and many more. Media contacts: US – Chris Purse, Bubble & Squeak, e: chris@ignite.bz, t: +1 818.508.0450, m: +1 323.806.9696 Europe & APAC – Wendy Mattock, Bubble & Squeak e: wendy@bubblesqueak.co.uk t: +44 (0)7912 300231 |