Lee Cowie appointed CEO of accesso® as company accelerates AI strategy

COO steps up as founder Steve Brown passes the baton in planned handover; transition follows a year of record venue wins, SaaS expansion and AI investment

TWYFORD, England, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- accesso Technology Group (AIM: ACSO), the leading global technology partner to leisure, entertainment and cultural markets, today announced that Lee Cowie has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. The appointment follows a planned leadership transition.

Cowie joined accesso as Chief Operating Officer eighteen months ago, bringing with him more than 15 years of senior international experience in technology leadership across the leisure and hospitality sectors. He spent seven years at Merlin Entertainments, most recently as Chief Technology Officer, providing technology leadership across more than 125 visitor attractions in 28 countries. He holds an MBA from Henley Business School and a BSc from Imperial College London.

He succeeds Steve Brown, who founded the company's namesake accesso business in 2008 and has led the company as CEO in recent years, establishing it as the operational technology backbone for more than 1,100 venues across 31 countries spanning the attractions, ski, hospitality and live entertainment industries.

"This transition has been carefully planned, and I'm leaving the business in very good hands. Accesso has a strong foundation, a talented team and expanding data intelligence capabilities that position it well for its next phase of growth. Lee's deep experience in this industry, his unique view as a former client, and his understanding of what operators need, makes him the right person to lead the business forward," said Steve Brown, outgoing CEO, accesso.

"Accesso has spent 25 years building the infrastructure and ecosystem that operators trust with the moments that matter most. My focus from here is on making that infrastructure more intelligent, more connected, and simpler for the operators and visitors who depend on it. The AI era is coming into our industry and we are ready for it," said Lee Cowie, CEO, accesso.

Cowie's strategic priorities center on three areas: the development of accesso Intelligence^SM, the company's AI-powered analytics and forecasting platform built on the acquisition of Dexibit®; an integrated payments strategy designed to simplify transaction economics for operators and visitors; and a programme of integration work across accesso's product estate to deliver a connected experience across ticketing, queuing, point of sale, membership and guest experience.

More details about Cowie's priorities are shared in a blog piece published today on the accesso website.

About accesso Technology Group plc

accesso is the leading global provider of patented and award-winning technology solutions that redefine the guest experience. accesso provides connected ticketing and eCommerce, virtual queuing, restaurant and retail point of sale, distribution, mobile apps and experience management, and data and analytics solutions for more than 1,100 venues worldwide. Its technology helps operators streamline operations, increase revenue and improve the guest journey. accesso delivers a high volume of product enhancements year-round and continuously invests in R&D to help venues and operators adapt to evolving guest needs.

accesso is a public company, listed on AIM: a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. Learn more at accesso.com or follow accesso on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook.

 

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Lee Cowie appointed CEO of accesso® as company accelerates AI strategy

Lee Cowie appointed CEO of accesso® as company accelerates AI strategy

GUANGZHOU, China, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the global sleep economy continues to expand, rising consumer expectations around comfort, health, and sustainability are reshaping the home textile industry. Against this backdrop, the 139th Canton Fair's Home Textile category highlights a range of bedding innovations that integrate advanced materials, smart technologies, and design-driven thinking. The latest offerings reflect how Chinese manufacturers are delivering solutions tailored to modern lifestyles and increasingly sophisticated sleep needs.

Several patented products demonstrate a strong focus on material-driven research. A moisture-absorbing duvet cover, protected by a utility model patent, enhances sleep comfort through advanced moisture-management capabilities. A modified cotton fiber material, supported by an invention patent, improves durability and functional performance, serving as a core material for high-performance textile applications.

An anti-mite and antibacterial quilt, developed with specialized technologies, effectively inhibits the growth of mites and bacteria. Professionally certified, it supports a cleaner and more hygienic sleep environment through reliable protective performance.

In the field of intelligent heating, several solutions demonstrate enhanced safety and user control. A smart zoned-temperature electric blanket allows independent temperature adjustment for different parts of the body and meets multiple international certification standards. It has gained strong market traction across Europe and other regions.

Cooling-sensation textiles further expand comfort innovation, featuring air-conditioning quilts and dual-sided blankets engineered to deliver measurable cooling effects exceeding industry benchmarks. These products have received innovation and design awards, alongside recognition for their technical standards.

Sustainability also plays a key role, with bio-based ergonomic pillows made from renewable materials. Designed for biodegradability and structured support, they integrate ergonomic zoning for the head, neck, and shoulders, while breathable variants enhance airflow and long-term comfort.

Together, these innovations underscore a broader shift in China's home textile sector toward higher-value, technology-driven development, where performance, sustainability, and user-centric design converge. As a key platform for global trade and industry exchange, the 139th Canton Fair continues to connect international buyers with forward-looking solutions, reinforcing its role in shaping the future direction of the global sleep and home textile market.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

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139th Canton Fair: Rising Sleep Economy Accelerates Innovation in Home Textiles