KEY POINTS:
The former chief executive of technology firm Navman will lead the new company formed from the proposed merger of Provenco Group and Cadmus Technology.
Jim Doyle has been appointed the CEO-designate of the yet-to-be-named entity, which still needs 75 per cent approval from shareholders in both companies.
The vote at two special meetings next Wednesday represents the final hurdle in the merger between the two electronic payment businesses.
Doyle will take up the role of CEO from the merger date of May 8, assuming it is approved.
The chairman of Provenco and the merger establishment board, Rick Christie, said the appointment signalled the board's determination to create a strong business.
"We need to move quickly and definitively post merger, and Jim is exactly the leader we need to take the company forward."
A native of Edinburgh, Doyle has more than 25 years of management experience in various technology and manufacturing firms in Scotland, South Africa and New Zealand.
He was appointed general manager of Navman in 1997, and later became chief executive before leaving in 2006 during the exodus over what was perceived to be a culture clash between the company and its American parent, Brunswick.
Doyle has since been providing business advice to a number of technology-driven companies through his company Ecosswi.
He is chairman of Fusion Electronics and baggage-handling company BCS as well as a director of Cadmus.
Doyle said it was difficult to say how shareholders would vote.
"From the majority of the feedback that we've had, it seems to be that this is a sensible, logical thing to do."
If the merger is approved, he said his first move would be to streamline the business, removing duplication in staff resources.
The two companies now compete on some fronts, particularly the domestic electronic payments market.
"I think there's certainly a duplication of resources at the moment which unfortunately would mean there would be some change in the number of employees.
"The intention is to get in and do that very quickly, because that's not fair on the individuals."
Peter Maire, current Cadmus chairman and long-time colleague, said Doyle has played a pivotal role in growing Navman from a $3 million to a $440 million company.
"Jim is more than a safe pair of hands. He has a huge amount of energy and drive and is the right person to re-shape and grow the company."
