Reading, UK-based SaaS collaboration vendor GroupBC has appointed construction software industry veteran Wes Simmons as its CEO. He succeeds Sanjeev Shah, who is taking on a new role in developing GroupBC’s strategic industry partnerships (see GroupBC news release).
Simmons was until recently managing director of construction ERP vendor Eque2, where he grew the business from a £5m business to one generating annual revenues of £15m. He started his construction career as a quantity surveyor and has worked in construction IT for major corporates including SAP, Unisys and Misys, gaining valuable experience of international business. Simmons has also worked with private equity partners to grow businesses the size of GroupBC into more successful and more valuable assets both through organic growth and through mergers and acquisitions. GroupBC and Eque2 share some of the same investors.
Sanjeev Shah (above left, with Wes Simmons) led the management buyout of the GroupBC business from Unit4 in November 2014, growing the business’s revenues to £3.795m in the year to 30 November 2016, increasing sales by 33% and boosting profitability by 77% year on year. The company also more than doubled its headcount, from 20 to 45 employees, over the same period (it’s now 55). During 2017 it further developed its BIM capabilities, rolled out its BC7 release, launched its GeoConnect+ service (developed in partnership with consultancy PCSG and Ordnance Survey), and developed technology partnerships with firms including CEMAR and Opentree. And a strengthened sales team (including Stuart Bell and Gavin O’Neill, both formerly of Union Square) won new customers including retailers Sainsbury’s and JD Sports, Jarvis Construction and the Houses of Parliament. (Many of these developments were discussed at GroupBC’s user conference in September 2017.)
GroupBC is now investing in a partner channel strategy. “I believe there is a great opportunity for GroupBC to expand without just putting more sales people on the ground,” Simmons said. “We are investing in Sanj as a dedicated resource to develop existing strategic partnerships with firms like PCSG, Wieneberger and IBM, and to instigate and build relationships with new industry partners. We believe this will help GroupBC extend its reach both across the industry and geographically, including internationally.” In the meantime, Simmons will take over the day-to-day operational management of the GroupBC business.
[Disclosure: I have provided marketing consultancy services to GroupBC.]
