AUSTIN, Texas – (Antara / BUSINESS WIRE) – 17 Feb 2021–
Forterro, a group of companies that deliver enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for small and medium-sized businesses, today announced the appointment of two new executives to lead the company into a new growth phase in its core European market.
Dean Forbes, a longtime UK-based software executive who recently became president of The Access Group, was appointed chief executive of Forterro. Paul Smolinski, former head of HR finance and payroll software company CoreHR, is appointed CFO. The two UK-based leaders have been selected to continue Forterro’s European growth strategy, working with the company’s strategic leadership teams across the group’s key business units in France, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland.
Forbes joins Forterro after a long career in executive and senior leadership roles for a number of international software companies. Most recently he led the growth and expansion of CoreHR, the UK’s HCM software provider, across Europe. CoreHR was acquired by The Access Group, where Forbes later served as president and member of the executive board. Prior to CoreHR, Forbes was the CEO of Paris-headquartered SaaS software company KDS, where he led the company’s successful growth and international expansion, leading to the acquisition by American Express. Early in his career, Forbes held senior leadership roles at Philadelphia HQ’d Primavera Systems and, later, Oracle where he served as global vice president for sales and marketing for the PPM Division. Forbes provides this rich experience to Forterro and its acquired companies, including abas Software (Germany); BPSC (Poland); Clip Industrie, Silog and Sylob (France); Jeeves and Infocube (Sweden); and ProConcept (Switzerland). Forterro is supported by a global technology-focused investment company, Battery Ventures.
“I am very pleased to be part of a strong ERP group of companies, all of which are successfully operating in one of the most robust and stable growing enterprise software markets,” said Forbes. “The foundation of our continued success is to continue to invest in market leadership positions for local and niche ERP software businesses across Europe. I am excited to lead the next stage of the Forterro journey as we want to continue to grow the business aggressively, both organically and through further acquisitions. “
“Bringing in new leadership based in Europe is part of Forterro’s natural evolution,” said Dave Tabors, a member of the Forterro board and private equity partner of Battery Ventures. “Former CEO Jeff Tognoni, former COO Scott Malia, and other US-based Forterro leadership teams have done a tremendous job growing the business by evaluating, acquiring, and operating ERP companies. However, to propel Forterro to the next stage of development, it’s time to cultivate leadership talent closer to our business unit operations. We are excited to work with Dean as he prepares Forterro for the next stage of growth. “
“We have spent the last few years working with our European counterparts to build a sustainable growth strategy and a unique operating approach for each business unit and product market,” added Jeff Tognoni, who resigned after leading Forterro and raising more revenue. of the seven-fold since the initial acquisition of Jeeves Information Systems in 2012. “The strength of our local team and their business tells me that part of our work is done, and that Forterro is ready for new challenges and continued success under the leadership of Dean and Paul. “
ABOUT FORTERRO
Forterro is a group of companies that provide ERP software to SMEs in specific geographic or vertical markets. Supported by investment Battery Business, Forterro operates business units in Sweden, Switzerland, France, Poland, and Germany, and has regional offices and research and development centers around the world. Through a growing intellectual property and capital ecosystem, Forterro is working with local management teams to strengthen its portfolio company solutions offerings and operational performance. For more information, visit www.forterro.com.
ABOUT THE BATTERY VENTURE
Battery partners with an outstanding founder and management team that develops category-defining businesses in markets including software and services, enterprise infrastructure, online marketplaces, healthcare IT and industrial technology. Founded in 1983, the firm supports companies at all stages, from start-up and inception to growth and purchasing, and invests globally from six strategic locations: Boston; San Francisco and Menlo Park, California; Herzliya, Israel; London; and New York. Follow the company on Twitter @BatteryVentures, visit our website at www.battery.com and discover the complete list of Battery portfolio companies here.
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SOURCE: Forterro
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PUB: 02/17/2021 04:00 AM / DISC: 02/17/2021 04:00 AM
Business Wire Copyright 2021.