Directorbank

Directorbank successfully completes the search for a CEO for Brainstorm Mobile Solutions.

Brainstorm is an innovative provider of mobile engagement solutions that help businesses to increase revenue, reach and operational efficiency. It was founded 30 years ago and provides services for clients in 27 countries communicating with over 650m people on behalf of some 100 brands.

Directorbank was recently approached by Shane Leahy, Chairman of Brainstorm, to source a proven CEO to increase growth and efficiencies across the business. The ideal candidate needed a strong commercial background in software and services as well as an established track record of significantly growing a Tech SME and leading a successful sale process.

A comprehensive search exercise was completed within a 3 week timeframe and a 6-strong candidate shortlist was delivered to Shane. Jeremy Deaner was successfully appointed to the position.

Jeremy is an entrepreneurial CEO with 30 years’ experience in developing teams and building businesses in the international technology sector.

Previously he was CEO of AmberFin, a leading vendor of content re-purposing software for the global film and broadcast market. During his tenure, he significantly grew the business across the USA, EMEA and APAX and the firm’s revenue grew by over 250%. High profile customer wins included Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures, BBC and Disney. Last year he managed the successful sale of the business to Dalet.

Shane Leahy comments:

“I was impressed with Directorbanks efficient approach and deep knowledge of the TMT sector, giving rise to some exceptional CEO candidates. I’m delighted with our appointment of Jeremy who brings a powerful combination of technical understanding and business experience in the international arena. He is the right person to take this already successful company to new levels and grow new international markets throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.”

Read the full case study here.

For more information on Directorbank’s executive search and pre-deal recruitment services, please contact us.

Directorbank is pleased to announce a new addition to its Germany practice. Pia Beverungen joins the Frankfurt team as a consultant and will support Dorothea Kronenberghs, our Executive Director for Europe.

Dorothea comments:
“Pia is a strong addition to the Directorbank team. She is experienced and well connected, particularly in the private equity world. She will be instrumental in developing our PE service offering by providing a tailored board search service to Directorbank’s German private equity clients and strengthening our candidate network across the region.”

Pia gained a wealth of PE experience from her time with boutique search firm Pohlschroeder Lewis Larcher Headhunters where she focussed on recruiting investment professionals. Prior to PLLH she worked with Michael Lehmann GmbH as an Associate Director specialising in executive and non-executive board appointments for family owned, private equity portfolio and listed companies.

Directorbank’s Matt Venning has successfully completed a gruelling 100-mile charity ride, cycling across rough terrain along the full length of the South Downs Way. The feat – a test of endurance and determination – took him from Winchester to Eastbourne and he crossed the finish line after an arduous 15 hours in the saddle.

Matt rode in support of The SMA Trust, the leading UK charity dedicated to funding research into a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

The cause is close to Matt’s heart. His two year old daughter Alexa was diagnosed with SMA type 2 last year and there is currently no treatment or cure for the condition. Scientists and drug companies are making great progress and a breakthrough is genuinely possible within a few years.

Matt’s fundraising efforts will specifically go towards the launch of the ‘UK SMA Research Consortium’ which will bring together world class researchers and clinical experts to find effective treatments and fast track drug development.

Matt comments: “SMA is the leading genetic killer of infants and toddlers. There are some 2,500 children and young people with the condition in the UK alone and 1 in 40 of us is a carrier. My mission has been both to raise awareness of this devastating muscle-degeneration disease and to enlist help in funding a cure.”

The team at Directorbank congratulate Matt on such a tremendous achievement and have proudly contributed towards his JustGiving page. This is the first of many fundraising initiatives for Matt in his quest to reach a target of £50k.

For more information, or to sponsor Matt’s cause, visit www.justgiving.com/SMAsters-of-the-Universe 

Directorbank has recently assisted Livingbridge in the search for a new Chairman for Key Travel Group.

Key Travel is the leading travel management company dedicated to serving the travel requirements of the humanitarian, education and faith sectors. The firm has offices in the UK, Europe and the US and provides airline tickets, hotels, rail tickets, visas and risk management services to a growing client base both offline and online. 

Since investment from Livingbridge in 2013, Key Travel has embarked on an ambitious growth strategy to increase penetration of both the UK academic and charity markets whilst accelerating expansion plans in the US.

To help realise such plans, the business required a new Chairman with the right blend of experience and skills to guide the Board and senior team through the next phase of growth.  The ideal candidate would be a proven private equity Chairman with a strong background in the technology-enabled business services arena and in-depth international experience.

After Directorbank’s thorough search of the market, Neville Davis became the unanimous choice. A highly respected non-executive chairman and company director, Neville has successfully chaired a number of high growth PE-backed companies, with a particular bias to international expansion in the tech sector.

He is currently Chairman of three companies, most with global reach – Clifford Thames (software-based solutions and services), SecureData (IT security solutions and services), and Fourth (global market leader in the provision of SaaS to the hospitality sector). His previous roles include Chair of Trustmarque, Ascribe and Amor (the latter at which GCP’s exit won ‘Private Equity Deal of the Year’ at the UKtech Awards 2013).

“We have used Directorbank on several occasions to facilitate the search for senior talent. They are well known and respected across the PE industry and bring years of experience and knowledge to the task of finding the best individual. James has a deep understanding of the tech and services sectors and is a highly effective search professional – rigorous, discreet, intelligent in his approach and extremely well networked. We are delighted with Neville’s appointment. Neville’s track record is outstanding and his strong sector expertise and experience of international expansion will be instrumental in helping Key Travel achieve its ambitious growth plans.” Graham Butler, Livingbridge.

For more information on Directorbank’s executive search and pre-deal recruitment services, please contact James Searby on 020 7255 7940.