Longtime Microsoft Gold ISV Partner GFI Software, which has just been acquired by new backers, has named software industry veteran Scott Brighton as its new chief executive officer. A channel-focused company, GFI provides scalable communications and security platforms comprising network security, web management, anti-spam, patch and vulnerability management, faxing and archiving solutions.
He joins GFI from Aurea Software, where over the course of two years he helped grow the company from $40m to $200m while improving EBITDA margins; he was previously CEO of Artemis International, a global project management software company.
“I am delighted to take over as CEO at this critical time for GFI Software, and I’m looking forward to working with the executive team to help the company realise its full potential. Our goal is nothing less than to create the premiere IT management software company for small and medium businesses. Whilst maintaining our focus on our award-winning on-premises products, our growth will be driven by the combination of extraordinarily powerful but incredibly simple cloud-based IT solutions coupled with a world-class marketing engine and channel infrastructure. We expect this combination to energise and expand our customer base.”
Acquisitions are also expected to play a key role in the rapid growth of GFI. “We see an aggressive M&A strategy as a key part of our growth. We expect to develop as a core competency acquiring great but complex technology that we can transform in to simple, cloud-enabled products that drive immediate value for customers. Our customers and channel partners are going to be thrilled by the expansion of our portfolio we expect to drive over the next 24 months.”