Former international professional services director at EidosMedia Marco Cucurachi has been named as the newspaper systems developer's chief operating officer.

The appointment follows the retirement of Massimo Maggi who has led the company's professional services division since its creation in 1999.

As one of the company's founders, Maggi completes a career spanning more than 40 years in the application of advanced technologies to the changing publishing needs of organisations in the media and financial sectors.

"I leave confident in the knowledge that the activities of the company's professional services division are in extremely capable hands," he says.

EidosMedia chief executive Gabriella Franzini praised the "fundamental role" Maggi has played in the success of the company since its inception: "We wish him every satisfaction in his retirement."

Cucurachi joined EidosMedia in 2001 and has extensive experience of supporting complex projects in all of the company's global markets. He says the quality of the deployment and support network has been a powerful growth factor for the company: "I'm excited to be taking this new role as the company expands into new markets in Asia and elsewhere."

Gabriella Franzini says Cucurachi brings "an ideal combination" of skills and experience to his new post: "I am sure that he will provide a great contribution to the company in his new role."

In his role, Cucurachi leads a global team of over 150 specialised staff engaged in the deployment and support of customer projects throughout the world.