January is a popular time for corporate reorganizations, and Xerox is no exception this year, making a major announcement regarding executive roles affecting its Technology business. In a brief industry release, Xerox announced that Jeff Jacobson, formerly President of Xerox’s Graphic Communications Operation, has moved into a newly created role as COO for Xerox Technology.  His long-time colleague, Andrew Copley, has been promoted to President, Xerox Graphic Communications Operation to fill the role Jacobson is vacating. We spoke with Copley to gain insight into why the company made the change, what it means for Xerox and its customers and what we might see from the organization moving forward as a result.

WTT:  Andrew, first of all, congratulations on the promotion. I know you have worked with and for Jeff for a number of years.  What’s the history there?

AC:  I first met Jeff in 1998 when I came to the U.S. from the UK for a three-year assignment as a result of International Paper selling off part of its business to a joint venture between Kodak and Sun Chemical. As you know, that became Kodak Polychrome Graphics, and I am still here 15 years later. Following Jeff’s departure from Eastman Kodak, I also left Kodak, where I was Chief Operating Officer, Graphic Communications Group, did some consulting and then took on the role of Chief Commercial Officer for Precision Value Technologies, a packaging company.  I joined Xerox to team up with Jeff again about 18 months ago.  Overall, I have spent more than 25 years in the Graphic Communications business.