The COO and CFO of identity software specialist GBG is to retire this summer after 12 years.
Dave John Wilson is also stepping down from the board at the end of June.
David Mathew Ward will join the board as CFO in May. He has spent the last 10 years with listed FTSE 100 global software group AVEVA.
Prior to the merger with the software business of Schneider Electric, Ward served as CFO, subsequently becoming finance director and company secretary of the enlarged group.
During Wilson‘s tenure at GBG, the listed group has evolved from a small UK operation to a business with over 65% of revenue generated outside the UK, customers in more than 70 countries and team members in 16 countries.
Over the same period, GBG has increased its market capitalisation more than 100x, from £14.2m in April 2009 to £1.7bn today.
“It has been a privilege to work with past and present team members, who are the essence of such a great business,” said Wilson. “My 12 years at GBG has been fun and rewarding, which has given me many proud moments.
“It is the right time for me to move to non-executive roles, and I thank the board, our team, advisors and the investment community for their support over the years.”
David Rasche, chairman of GBG, said: “I would like to thank Dave Wilson for his 12 years with GBG, during which time he has been a key member of the board helping to transform the business and deliver outstanding shareholder returns.
“I know that Dave will remain a good friend of the business and we wish him well for his retirement.
“The board is delighted that David Ward has agreed to join GBG as its CFO. David has been key to impressive growth and financial governance improvements at AVEVA over his tenure and I am confident that his experience will be an asset to GBG as we continue our own growth story.“
Ward added: “The fundamental strengths of GBG’s products and the opportunities which exist for the business within its markets, made this opportunity instantly compelling.
“Having met various members of the board and executive, it became clear that the culture and focus of the business are important strengths. It is rare to find a business with the market opportunity, strategy and ambition to deliver, combined with the culture to succeed.
“I will be joining GBG at a very exciting chapter in its growth journey and look forward to leveraging my experience of international expansion and finance operations to enable further success building on Dave’s impressive legacy.”