Change at the top of Pinnacle as Allan reveals retirement

The former chief executive of Scottish telecoms group Thus said he would continue to  follow progress at Aim-quoted Pinnacle “with great pride and interest” when he stands down following the group’s annual meeting on 26 March.

Allan will be replaced as chairman by James Dodd, who sits on the advisory board at stockbroker Oriel. Dodd has more than 30 years’ experience in the equity markets, focusing on  telecoms and technology, and was involved in the privatisation of BT in 1984, as well as the flotations of Colt and Telewest.

Pinnacle is best known for providing broadband and other data services at large events such as BBC Radio 1’s “big weekend” concerts and 2011’s royal wedding, but has also been expanding its computing services.

The firm also said yesterday that non-executive director John Anderson is to retire after more than four years on the board and will be succeeded by Tom Black, co-founder and executive chairman of Digital Barriers, which acquired Prestwick-based Visimetrics, a specialist in digital surveillance, in an £8 million deal unveiled on Monday.

Pinnacle chief executive Alan Bonner said the firm – which is due to unveil its annual results on 18 February – aimed to make further appointments during the year, having expanded its executive sales team last month.

He added: “I would like to thank Bill and John for their many years of service to  Pinnacle. They have provided vital support and guidance  during the evolution of the  business into a provider of cloud-based technology solutions and we wish them well in their future endeavours.”