Clarity Commerce Solutions | Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Sir Colin Chandler: Non-Executive Chairman: Sir Colin joined easyJet plc in April 2002 and was appointed Chairman in 2002. Until November 2004, he was Non-Executive Deputy Chairman of Smiths Group plc, having been a Non-Executive Director of TI Group since 1992. Sir Colin has been variously Managing Director, Chief Executive and then Chairman of Vickers plc. Earlier in his career Sir Colin was seconded from British Aerospace to the role of Head of Defence Export Services, Ministry of Defence. He was Chairman of Racal Electronics plc. He is Chairman of TI Automotive Limited, Chairman of Automotive Technik Limited and Pro-Chancellor of Cranfield University. He was knighted in June 1988 for services to export.
Ken Smith: Chief Executive Officer: Ken has over 23 years' financial and managerial experience working with SME companies in the IT sector. He started his career with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells where he trained as a chartered accountant. On qualification in 1982, Ken transferred to the firm's Nairobi office as senior manager where he headed up a team of 21 European and African employees.; In 1986, Ken joined Alphameric plc, as group financial controller during a period of huge market volatility. After four years, he was promoted to group finance director responsible for all financial aspects of a highly complex turnaround plan following the previous Board's disastrous acquisition strategy. Following extensive downsizing, disposals and fundraising, in 1993 Alphameric returned to profitable growth.; Ken joined Clarity Commerce as an external consultant in mid-2007 and was appointed CEO in September of that year. He was initially tasked with managing the publicised turnaround of the multi-national AIM listed group, which had been in severe financial and commercial difficulties. Acting quickly to address the Group's plight, profitability was restored within months and a successful £1.8m fundraising concluded in early 2008. The following year (2008/9) has seen the Group return strong operating profits and cash flows, and a transformation in the Group's financial position. Currently, Ken and his senior management team are seeking to build on this progress with an exciting strategic plan designed to add significant further value to the Group.; Ken has a degree in Business and Administration, with Economics, and is a Chartered Accountant. He obtained a private pilot licence in 1978 with the University Air Squadron. Ken also enjoys music, travel and diving in his spare time.
Tony Houldsworth: Executive Director: Anthony Houldsworth (48) was one of the founders of MATRA Systems and led the sale of the business to Clarity in 2006. Anthony started his career as a software developer in London after graduating from Salford University with a first class honours degree in 1984. He co-founded MATRA in 1991 and as CEO oversaw its successful growth in Europe and North America. Married with 3 children, Anthony is a keen surfer, plays guitar and has a black belt in karate.
Stephen Sadler: Executive Director: Steve qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen, and has a degree in Industrial and Business Economics from the London School of Economics. He has held a number of Board level positions with publicly quoted and private equity-backed technology companies. Previous roles include Chief Financial Officer for Turbo Power Systems Inc, Chief Financial Officer for Host Europe plc until its sale to Pipex plc in 2004 and senior finance roles at Logica plc and GX Networks plc. Stephen’s interests include his family, sailing, rugby, cricket and fishing.
David Bennett: Non-Executive Director: David Jonathan Bennett (48) has an MA in Economics from Cambridge University, and brings to Clarity the benefits of a considerable range of experience and skills in the financial services sector, culminating in his role as Chief Executive Officer of Alliance and Leicester plc, prior to its sale to Santander UK plc in 2008. He was retained by Santander after the acquisition, but has recently decided to pursue a wider career in non-executive roles. He is currently a non-executive Director of easyJet plc where he chairs the Audit Committee and is also a non-executive Director of Pacnet Limited, a Pan-Asian provider of telecommunications/internet systems connectivity.
Colin Wells: Non-Executive Director: Colin Kenelm Wells (61) is currently Non-executive Chairman of AIM quoted Prologic plc, and also provides consultancy services within the ICT sector. He has spent his entire career in the IT industry. His early career was with Burroughs and IBM and he has also held several senior positions in the ICT sector, including board roles at JBS Computer Services (a SaaS company), JBA plc (an ERP provider) and at CSG plc. He has a remarkable track record of achievement, not only at board level, but also in the vital area of sales and marketing, having a well-deserved reputation for turning opportunities into actual contracts.