Willard replaces Dr. Kim Nilsson as Pivigo CEO, with Dr Nilsson joining the board of directors as chairman, continuing to provide advice and guidance to the leadership team.
Prior to taking on the position at Pivigo, Willard served as executive entrepreneur-in-residence at Imagination Technologies, working to identify AI and SaaS opportunities. While at Imagination Technologies, Willard built AI marketplace Kynisys.AI.
The new CEO, who brings over a decade’s leadership experience at global technology organisations and further skills in fundraising, strategy development and product and technical strategy, formerly served as CEO of connected vehicle platform Tantalum Corporation.
“I am honoured and delighted to serve as Pivigo’s next chief executive officer,” said Willard. “The Pivigo team includes deeply experienced professionals who are already building the new products and platforms that we need to be successful in the long term.
“Now is the right time to deliver our ambitious technology vision. I cannot wait to get started.”
All chief executive and CEO appointments covered in 2020
Outgoing CEO, and new chairman at Pivigo, Nilsson, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Alex Willard as our new CEO. She brings a wealth of experience as an accomplished technology leader and her experience will be invaluable.
“I look forward to seeing her build on the impressive milestones already accomplished by the Pivigo team and take the company to the next level.”
Puneet Raj Bhatia, fund director, London Co-Investment Fund at Funding London, added: “This is a very exciting time for Pivigo. The company has established a reputation for leading the way in data science and AI.
“The business world has a huge and growing need for this expertise, and Alex Willard has exactly the right experience, skills and vision to take the company and its talented team towards a successful and profitable future.”
Pivigo currently oversees a project-based training programme for analytical PhDs and MScs, called Science to Data Science (S2DS). Aimed at producing fully fledged data scientists, the programme’s alumni network is over 700 strong.
