The first announcement from Chord Electronics is the promotion of Matthew Bartlett to the position of Managing Director with immediate effect.

Matthew (pictured above), previously the company's Manufacturing Director, is Chord Electronics' longest-serving employee. Matthew started in 1990 (at just 15) and has developed an unrivalled understanding of the business through working in every department of the Maidstonian manufacturer. Matthew will now oversee all day-to-day aspects of the company's business, supported by his senior team.

John Franks (above), company founder, owner and Chief Designer, becomes Chairman. The move allows him more time to develop and engineer future products as the company continues to grow. In his new role, John will continue to preside over the wider business but will focus on his primary passion, namely, design.

Commenting on the promotion, Matthew Bartlett told StereoNET:

I am delighted to accept the role of Managing Director at a time of unprecedented growth for Chord Electronics. Having worked across all departments over nearly 30 years, including building our earliest amplifiers for our first customer, The BBC, my time-proven understanding of the business will no doubt serve me well as the company moves forward with its exciting plans for 2020 and beyond.

Chairman John Franks added:

It gives me enormous pleasure to announce Matthew as Managing Director. Having worked alongside me almost from day one, he is uniquely qualified to help strengthen the business in the future and brings unrivalled experience to the role. To my mind, there is no better candidate, and I look forward to seeing him flourish further in his new position.

We congratulate both Matthew and John on their new appointments and are looking forward to experiencing the latest products as shown at the company's international distributor conference. Expect the first of these to appear as early as next month.