Orchard Information Systems has appointed Ian Shard as its new managing director, replacing Peter Hunt who will become executive chairman for the housing systems provider.
Shard joined Orchard in 1989 a project manager and spent the subsequent 11 years as Orchard’s implementation manager and latterly as its professional services director. Before joining Orchard, Shard was a systems manager in the housing sector as well as having extensive property management experience in education and the public sector.
Orchard’s founder Peter Hunt remains actively involved as executive chairman, with overall responsibility for Orchard’s long-term direction, strategy and financial performance. Hunt will also maintain his relationships with Orchard’s customers and partners as well as investigating potential acquisitions.
Peter Hunt said “After several years of carrying out the joint role of chairman and managing director, it is now the right time for me to hand over responsibility for day-to-day operations. During his time at Orchard, Ian has demonstrated excellent leadership and sound judgement in all of his business dealings. He believes in Orchard’s core values and cares very much for its people and customers.”
Hamish McDermid, IT director, Southern Housing Group, added, “As a key Orchard customer, we are very pleased to see Ian Shard appointed as managing director. He is well respected within our organisation and I see this as a positive step towards the continuous improvement of Orchard as a business and the ongoing innovation of its products and services.”
