Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 6th October 2003 – VIA NET.WORKS, Inc. (Nasdaq, Euronext: VNWI), a leading provider of business communication solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe and the United States, today announced the appointment of two new European-based directors to its Board of Directors, Karen Slatford and Jan Gesmar-Larsen. The company also announced that Stephen J.Eley is stepping down from the Board.
Karen Slatford brings to VIA’s board almost two decades of senior level sales experience at Hewlett Packard. From 1994 to 1997 she was responsible for Hewlett Packard’s enterprise sales force in the United Kingdom before being promoted to lead enterprise sales across the EMEA region. Karen was promoted to Vice President Worldwide Sales in 1999 and continued in that role until she left HP in 2001. She consults frequently for high technology companies on sales and business strategy, and is a director of Compel plc, a UK-based technology solutions and rental company, and HAL Knowledge Solutions, a leading provider of Application Portfolio Management solutions.
Jan Gesmar-Larsen also brings significant operating experiences to the VIA NET.WORKS board. He has held senior executive positions in the personal computer industry at Compaq, Apple and Dell. Most recently, he was President, Dell Computer, Europe and Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Before Dell he was EMEA President of Apple Computer. Jan also held positions with Compaq Computer International. He was until recently a member of the Board of Directors of Bang & Olufsen, Capital One Financial Services Inc. and currently serves on the boards of Interse AS and HAL Knowledge Solutions and is an advisor to Apax Partners and Danske Bank Ventures.
With the addition of Ms. Slatford and Mr. Gesmar-Larsen to the board, Stephen J.Eley, who as a partner at BCI Partners, has served as a director of VIA since April 1999 will step down.
“I have participated in the company’s early years, its initial public offering, as well as the challenges of the past few years,” stated Mr. Eley. “With a strong management team at the helm executing the company’s strategic plan, it is time to make room for directors who can better contribute to VIA’s focus on operational excellence in the European market.”
Commenting on the changes, Mike McTighe, Chairman of VIA’s Board said: “We are delighted to welcome Karen and Jan to the board. Their appointment will broaden and deepen both the operational experience and the European focus of the board at this key point in VIA’s history. At the same time, I extend a great debt of thanks on behalf of the board to Stephen Eley, who has helped steer the company through challenging times and set it on course for a promising future.”
About VIA NET.WORKS Inc.
VIA NET.WORKS, Inc. (Nasdaq, Euronext: VNWI) is a leading provider of business communication solutions to small and medium-sized businesses in Europe and the United States. VIA’s local operations offer a comprehensive portfolio of flexible and reliable managed services including internet access, DSL and lease line connectivity, VPNs, hosting, security, applications and voice. Through its bundled solutions and market-specific partner relationships, VIA is in a unique position to deliver long-term value-added services to its many customers. For further information, please visit our website: www.vianetworks.com.
VIA media contact:
Piers Schreiber
Communications
Ph: +31 65 535 8087
Fax: +31 20 502 0001
e-mail: pschreiber@vianetworks.com
VIA investor contact:
Matt S. Nydell,
General Counsel
Ph: +44 1784 89 8959
Fax: +44 1784 89 8916
e-mail: ir@vianetworks.com