Acal, a pan-European distributor, announces the appointment of Nicholas Jefferies as its Chief Executive with effect from 5 January 2009. Since 2005 Jefferies (42) has been with Electrocomponents. Prior to that, he spent eleven years in component distribution, including senior positions at Arrow Electronics. Tony Laughton, who has been Chief Executive since 2001 and co founder of Acal, stepped down as Chief Executive in July.

The revenue from continuing operations in the six months to 30 September 2008 increased by 2.8% to £79.8m (2007: £77.6m). Operating profit from continuing operations before exceptional items fell by 64% from £2.8m to £1.0m. The loss after tax for the period was £8.0m