Appointment of Interim Chief Executive
9 May 2023
WANdisco plc
("WANdisco" or the "Company")
Appointment of Interim Chief Executive
WANdisco (LSE: WAND), the data activation platform, is pleased to announce its intention to appoint Stephen Kelly as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WANdisco effective from 10 May 2023.
Stephen Kelly has significant experience of complex software and technology businesses underpinned by strong partner and alliance channels and direct sales skills. Stephen has an exceptional leadership record, from start-ups to the largest organisations in both private and public sectors in the USA and Europe. Following early career experience gained in the European management team at Oracle, Stephen joined start-up Chordiant in 1997 and served as CEO of this NASDAQ listed business between 2001 and 2005. He served as CEO of MicroFocus plc between 2006 and 2010, followed by a period as Chief Operating Officer of the UK Government. Returning to the private sector in 2014, Stephen then served as Chief Executive of Sage plc until 2018.
Contiguous with the appointment of Stephen as Interim CEO, Ken Lever will resume his position as Interim Non-Executive Chairman. Stephen will assume overall executive responsibility for WANdisco, with an initial focus on customers, channel partners and alliances, the sales organisation, go-to-market strategy and building the sales pipeline. Ken will continue to chair the Company's Board of Directors, as well as continuing to chair the Board's Investigations Committee, and will remain heavily involved with workstreams focused on lifting the share suspension.
Stephen Kelly commented:
"As a passionate champion of UK Tech companies striving to become Number 1 on the global stage, I am excited by the prospect of joining WANdisco. I am a firm believer in the potential of WANdisco's technology to become a market leader and, whilst there is much work to be done, I have relished my previous UK listed turnaround roles and am proud of the successful transformations, profitable growth and value creation they have delivered. I believe Ken has started the rescue, recovery and rebuild process well and, as a team, we have the opportunity to build a high-quality, global UK growth business delivering for all stakeholders."
Ken Lever added:
"The Board is delighted to have secured someone of Stephen's calibre and track record to lead WANdisco forward. All of us remain squarely focused on advancing the workstreams that are designed to lift the current suspension in WANdisco's shares and position the Company for long term success. I look forward to benefiting from Stephen's energy and perspectives as we do so."
Stephen's appointment as Interim CEO is subject to the completion of customary due diligence and the Company will make further announcements, as appropriate. It is intended that Stephen will serve as permanent CEO of WANdisco when the suspension of the Company's shares can be lifted.
For further information, please contact:
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FTI Consulting |
+44 (0)20 3727 1137 |
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Rob Mindell / Kwaku Aning / Matt Dixon |
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Stifel (Nomad and Joint Broker) |
+44 (0)20 7710 7600 |
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Fred Walsh / Richard Short / Tom Marsh |
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Liberum (Joint Broker)
Max Jones |
+44 (0)20 3100 2000 |
About WANdisco
WANdisco is the data activation platform for accelerating digital transformation at scale. WANdisco makes infinite data actionable across clouds and enterprises in real time. WANdisco customers unleash the business value of the cloud with zero downtime, data loss, or disruption to fuel AI and machine learning, create new services, and transform businesses. For more information about WANdisco, visit www.wandisco.com
Footnote:
Stephen Kelly is a senior advisor to Blackrock LTPC, & Isomer Accelerant, NED Chair of Optimize and Director of Locum's Nest. He chairs the Science & Technology Honours Committee, is a member of the main Honours committee and a member of the No 10 Downing Street Digital Fellowship Board.
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