Ex-USR Hudson back to modem roots

Clive Hudson, perhaps best known for his days heading up US Robotics' UK operations, has dramatically reappeared in a new job. He's taken on the role of MD with Britain's one remaining modem manufacturer, Psion Dacom. Former Dacom MD, Gareth Hughes, has moved onto head Psion's 'nursery group' for new projects such as the recent alliance with Vodafone AirTouch. The announcement follows hot on the heels of Psion Dacom's launch of a USB based product range. Although Hudson's last public role was at USB specialists, Entrega, before its recent acquisition by Xircom, Hudson maintains the USB connection is pure co-incidence. He says that while Psion Dacom views USB as an area in which it should be playing, it's not a strategic technology. Hudson revealed he's more interested in wireless than USB as a new product direction. The main reasons Hudson gave for Psion's decision to get him on board are his long experience with the channel plus his ability to forge deals on a European - not purely UK - basis. The Register enquired just exactly how Psion had lured him back into the modem market. Was it the usual trick of offering disgustingly large amounts of money, we asked? "People tend to throw large amounts of money at me, anyway. I don't know why," Hudson replied modestly. "I've got beyond that, though. It's really the chance to do some amazing new things with a really great brand name. The one thing people always say about Psion [Dacom] is that it's a great product name they've got." ®