Mark's distinguished sales record includes having been one of Compaq's first salesmen in the UK. Over a period of 12 years Mark helped build Compaq from zero to a turnover of USD 3 Bn, split equally between hardware and services. Mark's title on leaving Compaq was group sales director, UK and Ireland. At COE, Mark joins the COE senior management team reporting directly to Andrew Wallace.

As well as Compaq, Mark has worked for Siemens and other smaller global companies such as Stratus. He was most recently at Clear Cube Technology. Mark has extensive experience working in each of COE's geographies.

"We are delighted that Mark has joined COE. Mark brings world class technology sales experience as well as decades' experience in the IT industry, which is increasingly running parallel to the CCTV industry as IP video becomes established. COE has more than doubled its sales force ahead of plan and Mark will lead the establishment and development of the team" comments Andew Wallace, chief executive of COE.

"COE is in prime position to exploit its 18 years' experience in video surveillance systems and I am excited to be leading and growing its global sales team. The rapid growth of COE's transport and industrial segments, as well as COE's reputation for high quality products, create a rare opportunity on which we can build" says Mark Norton.