Philips md Turner quits to join Dixons’ PC World

Simon Turner, managing director of Philips Consumer Electronics UK, is leaving the company to join Dixons-owned PC World as deputy managing director.

Turner, who has been with the company for almost 18 years, was promoted to managing director three years ago. It was unclear at the time of going to press when Turner will take up his new role. He will report to PC World managing director Terry Duddy.

Paul Reilly, brand director for Philips Consumer Electronics (UK), says: “We have been aware for some time that this was going to happen.

“Discussions are already taking place [about a replacement]. Philips is looking to maintain a consistent approach and we will retain our core involvement with the DVD committee.”

Turner was chairman of the Digital Video Disk (DVD) committee, which was formed by Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Toshiba, Warner Brothers, Warner Vision, Buena Vista, Columbia Tristar, MGM and PolyGram, to promote the DVD format. DVD is hailed as a higher quality successor to VHS video.

Philips recently announced that its joint venture with Lucent, called Philips Consumer Communications, formed in October 1997, would be ending. Philips will maintain the PCC business but will restructure its product line.