London, UK – 20 January 2015 – Proxama PLC (AIM: PROX), the global mobile marketing, loyalty and payments company announces two new appointments to its executive team; John Kennedy (Chief Financial Officer) and Mike Woods (Chief Executive Officer, Payments Division).
In his role as CFO, Kennedy is leading the development of business opportunities across the UK and North America and is responsible for guiding the business through its consolidation and growth across the proximity commerce industry. During his 20 years at Global Insurance Company Aviva, Kennedy gained significant operational experience and led a number of cost management programmes. Kennedy was also responsible for a number of mergers and acquisitions during his time here, including transactions with RAC, CGNU, and London and Edinburgh.
Kennedy then spent two years as an Executive Director of IT software company, Validus, where he helped to double the size of the company, commercialise the company’s services, and led the process to its sale to private equity group Lloyds Development Capital. Both roles have also consolidated his experience in sales and marketing.
Kennedy joins Proxama after serving as Divisional Finance Director at RAC Motoring Service, supporting the sales process between The Carlyle Group and GIC, for a reported £2bn.
Woods joins Proxama’s Board of Directors following the acquisition of Aconite Technology towards the end of 2014. Having founded the card payment and security company in 2000, where he served as CEO and Chairman of the Board, Woods transformed Aconite into a global software solutions company with blue chip clients across, Europe, Middle East, Africa and USA.
Bringing over 30 years of international experience, holding senior positions at NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland, Woods acquired a vast skill set that spans strategy and leadership having been responsible for over 1000 people, across different divisions. Woods is well placed as Proxama’s newest board member and will use his expertise and knowledge of finance and venture capitalism, to help transform the company into a major global player for Proximity Marketing and Payments.
Proxama CEO, Neil Garner commented: “2015 will prove to be a defining year for Proxama and the calibre of our new board members will no doubt help guide the company through this rapid growth period. Each brings significant value to the global team and they have already demonstrated a clear ambition for success that matches our own. Combining John’s experience of commercialising products and taking them to new markets with Mike’s expertise in the payments sector will be invaluable over the next 18 months, as Proxama readies itself for aggressive expansion, across different regions.”
Proxama continues to develop mobile proximity marketing opportunities for brands and has recently worked with the likes of Ubisoft, Harrods and Ralph Lauren using its TapPoint® platform. From digital coupons to loyalty schemes, Proxama implement creative mobile campaigns using NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy beacons. Brands are able to better connect with consumers to increase loyalty, push bespoke offers and grow sales.
The company is currently spearheading the Connected High Street project in Norwich, where 20 local merchants are learning about the benefits of beacon technology. As part of the project, Norwich became one of the first cities to trial beacons on buses.
Proxama is fast becoming known for its innovative technology, including its CardGateway® platform, which transitions plastic payment cards into a mobile device to enable mobile contactless payments. The acquisition of Aconite Technology has further consolidated its contactless payments proposition, to create a compelling end-to-end solution for card issuers.
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