Illness Grounds Cello Exec Chairman

Cello Group Executive Chairman Kevin Steeds is said to be seriously ill, and has temporarily stepped down from his duties at the UK-based MR and consulting group.

In the meantime, Group CEO Mark Scott will assume his responsibilities. Scott will be assisted on a part-time basis by Non-Executive Director Allan Rich, who becomes Acting Chairman on a non-executive basis.

The Board said in a statement that it looks forward to Steeds' return at the earliest opportunity.

Steeds is also temporarily stepping down from his Chairman role at Asia-focused interactive media sales network Pixel Interactive Media. DRNO wishes him a speedy recovery.

AIM-listed Cello, which owns a number of market research business including consumer agency Leapfrog; public sector specialist mruk; healthcare marketing consultancy MSI; business and competitive intelligence specialist SMT; and consumer specialist 2CV is on the web at www.cellogroup.co.uk .