Helveta appoints John O’Connell as Chairman
22 July 2010
Oxford, United Kingdom, 22nd July 2010: Helveta Ltd., the provider of supply chain intelligence software, CI World™, today announces that software entrepreneur John O’Connell has taken on the role of non-executive chairman of the Helveta board. The appointment follows Helveta’s completion of a £5 million round of funding in May and is an important part of its strategy to grow the international market for its unique supply chain intelligence technology.
John O’Connell is a high profile entrepreneur in the UK software industry. Having founded Staffware in the Eighties, O’Connell grew the company over the next two decades, selling it to Tibco for $260 million in 2004. He is currently chairman of Mtivity Ltd., a patron of the Prince’s Trust, a Liveryman of the City of London, and an active member of the Entrepreneurship Panel of The Information Technologists Company.
Patrick Newton, CEO of Helveta, stated, “Helveta is in a strong position to consolidate its market-leading position in the forestry sector and expand further into agricultural production and the extractive industries. John’s experience of growing UK technology companies, such as Staffware, on the global stage will be invaluable. We are in a period of substantial growth and, with John on the board, we are well set for an exciting time for Helveta.”
John O’Connell added, “The UK software industry is a still a hotbed of innovation and Helveta is definitely one to watch. Being the most prevalent supplier of wood tracking systems to governments around the world, it has the experience and global footprint in place to position it for extraordinary growth not just in the forestry sector but across other global supply chain segments too. I look forward to working with the dedicated team at Helveta to help meet this potential.”