IRIS (a Canon Group company), a technology company specializing in Intelligent Document Recognition (IDR), Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Optimized IT Infrastructure (ICT) and Mobile Scanning Peripherals has announced, on the occasion of a press conference, the nomination of Hubert Bro as new Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective September 1, 2015.

Hubert Bro succeeds Pierre De Muelenaere who is retiring after 33 years. De Muelenaere has guided the company through many phases (development of the initial technology, raising of capital, creation of the company, stock market flotation, partnership and subsequent acquisition by Canon and launching of new partnerships) but has now decided that the time is right to arrange for a successful handover.

Hubert Bro will report to Rokus van Iperen, President and CEO, Canon Europe, Middle East and Africa.The appointment will continue to drive collaboration between Canon’s European sales channel and I.R.I.S. to develop new powerful information management solutions at the same time as reinforcing its market position as a trusted independent technology partner in the wider industry. Bro’s experience and expertise will also enable him to build closer synergies with Canon’s research and development and sales teams.The IRIS Strategic Committee is now composed of:

• Hubert Bro, CEO
• Angelo Van Wilderen, CFO
• Günter Hensges, IRIS P&T COO (in charge oft he Products & Technologies division)
• Stephan Van Herck, IRIS PS COO (in charge of the Professional Solutions division)

Hubert Bro joined Canon 32 years ago and has substantial international experience. He is French and most recently has served as a member of the Executive Committee of Canon France, and previously held many senior positions in Canon across Europe, in Marketing, Sales, Communication, Business Strategy and Services. Hubert Bro declares:“IRIS has become a very important part of the Canon Group and is a cornerstone of Canon Information Management strategy. The development of IRIS with Canon in the past year has been significant, not only at commercial level, but also in term of joint technical development. My mission will be to help IRIS to develop in Europe and on a World-wide level in the future. It has been a pleasure to work with Pierre during the handover phase and I would like to thank him and the IRIS team for their outstanding achievements over many years.”

Pierre De Muelenaere comments: “It was an honor for me to lead the IRIS company through all its steps of development, from the foundation in 1987, to the stock market in 1999 and since 2009, through the initial steps with Canon. What we have achieved as a team is outstanding, and we can all be proud of it! Now is the time for a more ambitious development with Canon, that we have to plan for the next 5 years. It is a good time for a change of leadership. I trust that the IRIS team will be motivated to tackle this new promising challenge and will fully support the new management team. I’m very pleased to give the lead to Hubert who has strong assets to lead IRIS through the next steps with Canon!”