The UIQ Board's role is to advise the UIQ management team and continually assess the company's financial standing and contribute to strategic developer on behalf of its parent companies. An Independent Chairman is desirable in order to promote stability in the ownership of UIQ Technology.
When Sony Ericsson bought UIQ Technology from Symbian and, subsequently, when Motorola became a joint shareholder, there was an emphasis on good corporate governance and a clear ownership structure. The intention of both Sony Ericsson and Motorola is to keep equal shareholdings between current and future shareholders. This is probably a reflection on a desire to avoid complications similar to those that have resulted from the fragmented ownership of Symbian.
Press release extract:
UIQ Technology today announced that Dr. Colin Tucker has been appointed to the role of Non-Executive Independent Chairman of the Board of Directors of UIQ Technology. To promote the success of UIQ Technology, Dr. Tucker will, in addition to his role as chairman, serve as a principal advisor and, together with the other Board members, continuously assess the company's financial standing and constructively challenge and contribute to its strategic development.
"I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Colin Tucker as chairman of the UIQ Technology board, said Johan Sandberg, CEO at UIQ Technology. Dr. Tucker comes with over 30 years of telecommunications leadership experience and it is great for us to get such an experienced chairman"
Dr Colin Tucker has amongst a number of other positions served as Chief Technology Officer and Group Director International of Orange Plc, Executive Director to the Board of Orange Plc, Managing Director 3 UK and Deputy Chairman of Hutchison 3G and was listed by the Financial Times as one of the eight key people to know in the Telecommunications sector.
"I have always had a passion for how people use technology, said Dr Colin Tucker. This is an excellent opportunity for me to be part of the strategic development and help UIQ becoming the innovation platform enabling the best mobile user experience"
Other directors of the UIQ Technology Board are Rob Shaddock and Alain Mutricy from Motorola and Ulf Persson and Mats Lindoff from Sony Ericsson.