The JAVLN Board has appointed David Leach as the new CEO, from Monday 14 October 2024. David will succeed JAVLN Founder and current CEO, Dale Smith, as he assumes the role of Chairman after over a decade at the helm of the insurtech company.
“When you build a company like JAVLN from the ground up, there’s a huge amount of pride there of course, and it was a decision I didn’t make lightly. I have loved this journey over the past decade and I look forward to continuing to scale the business and remain present and involved in my new capacity as Chair,” said Dale Smith.
David Leach, former CEO of a New Zealand based inventory management software provider, has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer, bringing with him a wealth of experience in leading fast-growing tech companies to global success.
“JAVLN is extremely well positioned for growth and fresh leadership from someone like David, who has a strong track record with scaling tech companies,” expressed Smith. “I am incredibly excited for the future of JAVLN under his leadership and have complete confidence in the executive team we have built.”
David has been serving as a board member of JAVLN for four months at the time of writing, participating in governance and strategic direction.
“Having already been a non-executive director, I have seen the transformation potential of JAVLN first-hand, and I’m thrilled to take on this role and lead the company’s next phase of growth,” said Leach.
Dale Smith remains JAVLN’s majority shareholder and Kerry McIntosh, the current Chair, will remain on the Board as a Director. The appointment of David Leach as CEO sees him joining a string of high calibre hires to JAVLN’s experienced executive team in 2024 as the New Zealand-based insurtech prepares for accelerated global growth.
With an illustrious career spanning 25 years so far, David has vast leadership experience in software companies like Cin7, ezyVet and Orion Health. As CEO and board member at Cin7 since 2019, David led the business through explosive 500% growth to become a global category leader. During his time as CEO, Cin7 was recognised around the world for its success and world-class culture, earning recognitions from Forbes in 2023 and 2024 for being the best overall inventory management software, and from the NZ Hi-Tech Awards in 2023 as PwC’s NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year. David joined JAVLN’s board in 2024 as a non-executive director.
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