SOFTWARE and consulting company First Derivatives has named Seamus Keating as permanent chief executive with immediate effect.
He had been acting up in the role since the passing of the group's founder and CEO Brian Conlon in last July.
A qualified accountant, he has extensive leadership expertise in the global technology sector, including executive roles in both finance and operations in multi-national technology companies.
He held various senior roles at Logica Plc before it was acquired by CGI Group in 2012, including chief financial officer and chief operating officer.
He joined Newry-headquartered First Derivatives in December 2012 and became its chairman the following July.
Mr Keating said: “Since my appointment as executive chairman my priority has been to ensure the group maintains its drive to deliver growth.
“During this time I have met stakeholders across the business, including employees, customers, partners and investors across all the regions in which the group operates.
“I've been struck by the high regard in which FD and our corporate culture is held, which provides an excellent platform on which to execute the group’s strategy.”
Hew added: “I'm grateful to FD’s employees who have shown immense dedication during this difficult period and to the board for its support as I take on this new role, leading FD to achieve its long-term objectives.”
Non-executive director Donna Troy will follow Mr Keating into the role as chairman of the group.
She has a depth of experience in both senior executive and non-executive roles within multi-national technology companies and has held CEO, division general management and sales leadership roles in organisations including IBM, SAP and Dell.
She said: “We're delighted Seamus has agreed to lead FD on the next stage of its journey.
“He was appointed executive chairman under the most difficult of circumstances and has demonstrated his ability to lead the team effectively while we undertook a search for a new CEO.
“There was considerable interest in the role from well-qualified candidates. But as we refined the requirements it was apparent that we already had an outstanding candidate in Seamus.
“When he signalled his desire to take on the role the board was thrilled and I look forward to working with him to execute our strategy to realise the enormous potential within the group.”
The top-table changes at First Derivatives led to a morning trading boost to its shares, which at one stage were up nearly three per cent at £2,585.
When the company first floated on the AIM market in 2002 its shares sold at 50p, and they hit a an all-time high of £4,630 in June 2018.
Forecasts for the full year to February 2020 point to FD having revenues of £242.9m and profits of £43.8m.
