Optical-equipment and digital-camera maker Olympus has picked a Briton as president, the Asahi Shimbun reported on 10 February. Michael Woodford, 50, will be one of just a few foreigners to run a Japanese firm. Woodford’s promotion is part of an effort to make the company more international.
Woodford said: “I feel very honoured to take the post of leading the Olympus group, which has presence not only in Japan but all over the world. In order to meet the expectations of all our stakeholders, including our shareholders, employees, cooperating companies, and customers, I plan to work with the current president to fulfill our strategic plan for the growth and rapid progress of our company. By reinforcing our management organization and production structure on a global basis, we aim to increase our competitiveness and maximize our corporate value”.
