Former Funcom Exec Appointed As SCi COO

Officials from embattled British publisher SCi Entertainment have announced that former Funsoft executive Juergen Goeldner has been appointed as interim chief operating officer, following the departure of CEO Jane Cavanagh and two other executives last week. Cavanagh quit the company, alongside managing directors Bill Ennis (also her husband) and Rob Murphy, following investor disquiet over failed takeover talks, the delay of the next Tomb Raider game and the subsequent warning of losses in the 2008 financial year. Chief financial officer Phil Rogers has now taken over as the CEO, with appointment of Goeldner being one of his first major decisions. Malcolm Dunne has been promoted to take on Rogers’ old finance role, but will not join the board. Goeldner’s experience in the German games industry is extensive, having co-funded publisher Softgold and later taking an executive position at THQ Germany. British newspaper The Telegraph speculates that one of his first moves may be to sell or shut down Eidos Interactive’s U.S. publishing arm. "Jurgen has a wealth of experience which will be invaluable to SCi in undertaking our business review and managing our operations more effectively," commented Rogers. "I am delighted that he is joining us as our interim chief operating officer."