Digital Wholesale Solutions (DWS) has hired former Sage CEO Paul Walker and Deloitte’s ex-senior audit partner Damian Sanders as independent non-executive directors.
These latest appointments “underlines its ambition” to become the UK channel’s leading technology platform and complete DWS's Board of Directors ahead of the firm's next stage of growth, DWS said.
“I’m really excited to welcome Paul and Damian to the board of DWS,” said Terry O’Brien (pictured), CEO of DWS.
“I feel extremely privileged to have the counsel of such an experienced team as we drive the business and our platform and software strategy forwards.”
As the former CEO at Sage Group between 1994 and 2010, Walker was one of the longest standing CEO’s of an FTSE100 company, with DWS saying his experience in building and leading software brands like Sage Group will be “invaluable” as it pursues its platform and software strategy.
Walker is currently working as a non-executive chairman of Halma Plc and non-executive chairman of Ashtead Group. He also served on the boards of Diageo and Mytravel, Experian and Sophos.
“Terry and his team have built a strong business with an infectious energy and a fabulous culture,” Walker said.
“The market opportunity ahead is tremendous, and I am looking forward to helping guide the business to the success it deserves,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, Sanders has served as a member of Deloitte's North West Leadership Team and has acted as an advisor and a corporate governance specialist to a number of FTSE Boards for over 20 years.
During 2020, Damian was appointed as independent non-executive director for The Hut Group (THG Holdings Plc) and Cineworld Plc.
‘‘The ambition and entrepreneurship of DWS is impressive and I aim to bring my experience to bear to help the team create the framework to underpin the continuation of its impressive growth trajectory,” said Sanders.
Both appointments come after DWS demerged from the Daisy Group this past year supported by a strategic partnership with private equity firm Inflexion.
