Leading UK software provider, Advanced Computer Software Group Ltd. (Advanced), today announces the appointment of new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gordon Wilson. Wilson will use his extensive experience in the software industry to continue to drive Advanced's impressive growth trajectory.
Wilson will lead Advanced, the third largest UK-based software provider to the UK market, which in just six years has grown its revenue to more than £200 million. The Group was acquired by private equity firm, Vista Equity Partners (Vista) for an enterprise value of £750 million in March 2015.
Wilson joins the Group with over 20 years’ General Management experience in the software and business support sectors. Former roles include serving as Managing Director at Kerridge Automotive Systems, ADP Dealer Services and more recently leading Aquilaheywood, the UK’s largest provider of pension and policy administration software and services.
All three software businesses experienced significant growth under Wilson’s watch. At Aquilaheywood, he was responsible for leading the management team to achieve 90% growth over a five year period.
During his time at The Kerridge Computer Company, Wilson oversaw the Automotive Systems division, which accounted for 85% of the Group's turnover, and managed divisions in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Here he delivered 17% year on year growth. At car dealer software business, ADP Dealer Services (now CDK Global), Wilson managed 1,500 staff members based across 16 countries in the EMEA region, where he grew turnover from £157m to £260m.
Brian Sheth, Co-Founder and President of Vista Equity Partners says, "Gordon brings a wealth of experience to Advanced’s Senior Management Team. His strong track record of growing businesses, combined with his strategic and motivational skills will drive forward Advanced’s growth and enable the Group to fulfil its ambition of being regarded as a major player both in the UK and internationally."
A key focus for Wilson will be further enhancing the quality of Advanced’s products and services as well as providing the highest standard of customer support.
Wilson adds, "Advanced has already built an excellent reputation in the UK and I was impressed by the diversity of the markets it operates in. These are just two of the reasons I’m looking forward to joining the Group. My goal is to build on the success of the business, focusing on expansion by investing in people, products, processes and systems and in turn providing innovative, cutting edge technology solutions to our customers."
Founded in 2008, Advanced employs more than 2,000 members of staff and provides healthcare, business and learning management software and services to 20,000 customers. In 2014, Advanced won Tech Company of the Year in PwC's UK Tech Awards and was ranked in the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50, which recognises the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK.
About Advanced Computer Software Group Limited
Advanced Computer Software Group Limited (Advanced) is a leading supplier of software and IT services to both public and private sectors which assist organisations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
In 2014, the Group won Tech Company of the Year in PwC's UK Tech Awards. Advanced was also ranked in the Deloitte UK Fast 50, which recognises the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK and ranked in the top 300 technology companies in Deloitte's EMEA rankings.
The Group operates as three divisions:
Advanced Health & Care sells a range of products to the NHS and private healthcare sector including patient workflow management for urgent and unplanned care providers; patient case management for social care providers; mobile applications for care in the community providers and rostering applications for social care settings.
Advanced Business Solutions provides accounting, payroll, HR, CRM and document management solutions to local authorities, healthcare organisations, law firms and private sector businesses including banks, manufacturers, retailers, charities and travel companies.
Advanced 365 delivers managed services to support Group products and to a wide range of customers including banks and financial institutions, membership bodies and healthcare organisations. Services can be delivered either on-premise or as cloud-based models depending on customers' requirements.