Lawler will take on the role from 1 July, replacing outgoing chairman Arie Rosenfeld, who is set to retire. Rosenfeld has been chairman since 1997 and, according to the Cambridge-based company, during his tenure revenues increased tenfold.

Previously at HP, where he held positions including UK managing director and chairman, Lawler has been director of several technology companies since 2002 and is currently non-executive chairman of EGS.