LogicaCMG, the Anglo-Dutch IT outsourcer, today appointed David Tyler as chairman, replacing company veteran Cor Stutterheim, but failed to give any fresh news on its closely watched search for a permanent chief executive.

Mr Tyler, a former finance director of GUS, joined LogicaCMG in July as non-executive deputy chairman and will take the chairman's role on November 1. The Times reported that he was being lined up as the next chairman earlier this year.

His chief initial task will be to find a new chief executive to replace Martin Read, who stepped down in May at an emergency board meeting, called after a profits warning and a share price plunge.

Zygos Partnership, the headhunter, has been hired to draw up a shortlist. Candidates will have to face the possibility of LogicaCMG becoming a bid target, according to analysts. The group has been the focus of persistent takeover speculation.

Mr Tyler said in a statement: “The board is pleased with the progress being made in the search for a new chief executive; we remain focused on securing the best possible candidate to take LogicaCMG forward.”

George O'Connor, a Panmure Gordon analyst, said: "Disappointingly, there is no new news on the appointment of a new CEO. Here LogicaCMG may come under fire for not moving more adroitly."

Sources at LogicaCMG confirmed that inteviews have taken place for the chief executive role and that the company is looking at internal and external candidates. The company has declined to give a timeline, however.

The chief operating officer, Jim McKenna, has been appointed as temporary chief executive. However, analysts have suggested that LogicaCMG would benefit from a heavyweight external appointment in the role, a move that could prompt a re-rating of the group.

LogicaCMG added that it expects to meet forecasts for the full year. It posted pre-tax profits for the six months to June 30 of £29.2 million, compared with a restated £26.8 million a year earlier.

Revenues were up 36 per cent to £1.52 billion, in line with analysts' forecasts.

LogicaCMG reiterated that it expects European revenue growth of between 4 per cent and 6 per cent for 2007, at the lower end of the forecast range.

The company raised its interim dividend by 4.4 per cent to 2.3p a share.

In early deals, the shares were down 6.75p, or about 4 per cent, at 152.5p, valuing the company at £2.3 billion.

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