MR Steve Butcher, Managing Director of Anker's Europe West Division, has taken direct responsibility for Anker Systems UK.

Anker, which is based on the Wingates Industrial Estate in Westhoughton, designs, manufactures and distributes electronic point of sale equipment.

Clients across Europe include Habitat, T&S Stores, Legoland, Aldi, Klick and Oddbins.

Mr Butcher has been with Anker since 1996 and has more than 20 years' sales-based experience in retail related sectors.

Laurence Hayes, the MD of Anker UK, left the Anker company at the end of September and so did David Turner, one of the founders of the Riva Group.

Mr Turner and co-founder Tom Milne established the company as Riva Turnkey Computer Systems in Caroline House, Bradshawgate in 1978.

It grew into a major international concern after the move to Westhoughton and was acquired by Anker BV from Germany in 1999.

Mr Butcher said: "The UK company has a great team of people and I am looking forward to working closely with them and with our customers to deliver our excellent systems and unbeatable service." RESPONSIBILITY: Steve Butcher