Unisys Appoints Interim Executives As Search Continues For New CEO

As it continues its search for a permanent replacement for its departing CEO Ed Coleman, Unisys said Monday it has appointed an interim CEO and interim chairman.

Unisys said its board of directors appointed CFO Janet Haugen as interim CEO. Paul Weaver, lead independent director of the Unisys board, was appointed interim chairman.

The changes will take effect Dec. 2, one day after Coleman departs.

[Related: Unisys CEO Ed Coleman Leaving Company On Heels Of Dropping Sales And Earnings]

The solution provider, No. 17 on CRN's Solution Provider 500 list, said in October that Coleman would be leaving the company after more than six years as CEO.

The company also said it has made "significant progress" in the search for an executive to permanently replace Coleman. The company said in a statement that it has "interviewed a number of strong candidates." At the time of Coleman's departure, the company said it was looking for a leader who could "execute on the company's growth agenda."

"We are confident that we will soon have a new leader in place with the experience and qualifications needed to lead the company's growth agenda. We are taking the time necessary to ensure that the appointment is the best one for Unisys and its stakeholders," Weaver said in a statement.

Coleman's departure announcement came on the heels of multiple quarters of dropping earnings for the company. While the company reported gains in its last third-quarter earnings, with sales up 11 percent over the same period the year before, Unisys reported losses in seven of the last 11 quarters.

While Unisys did not comment at the time on the reason for his departure, the company did say that it was the "right time" for a transition. Unisys said that it was an "amicable parting," with Coleman's "full cooperation" and that the executive was not fired from the position. Coleman did not address his departure in the most recent earnings call.

Haugen has served as CFO since 2000 and has been with Unisys since 1996. Prior to that, she was a partner at Ernst & Young.

Weaver has served on the Unisys board of directors and the audit committee since 2010. Weaver's background is as vice chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers and former chairman of the company's Global Technology and Infocomm practice.

PUBLISHED NOV. 24, 2014