Knife Hone Image by Jason Gillman from PixabayKimble has announced the appointment of Steve Sharp as Chief Operations and Finance Officer. Sharp has extensive experience in general management and operations in a variety of software businesses. He spent seven years as CEO of PowerSteering Software, a PPM provider that Gartner once ranked as a leader in that sector. Upland Software later acquired PowerSteering in 2014.

Perhaps surprisingly, he does not appear to be a qualified accountant. He does have experience in working in software companies working with multi-national organisations, a sector in which Kimble is winning an increasing amount of business.

Steve Sharp, Chief Operations and Finance Officer at Kimble (Image Credit LinkedinIn)
Steve Sharp, Chief Operations and Finance Officer at Kimble

Sharp, though English, is based in Boston where Kimble has its largest US Presence. That he will remain there, indicates that there is a strategic shift in importance towards the US market as it helps power Kimble growth.

Sharp commented: “Kimble is increasingly welcoming large, global customers who are implementing Kimble Intelligent PSA across their enterprises. As Chief Operations and Finance Officer, I look forward to drawing on my experience in the enterprise software and services space to help Kimble to develop further in this direction.”

More leadership changes

With Sharp arriving at Kimble, there are other changes in the leadership team. Geoff Pople, previously Chief Operating Office now takes on the role of Chief Customer Officer with global responsibility for all customer-facing activities.

Annika Robinson, the previous CFO who has led the finance team since Kimble was founded is stepping down. A Kimble spokesperson said: She is moving into semi-retirement, but will continue to be involved on a part-time basis and as a strategic advisor.

Why Sharp?

When searching for a candidate, Kimble asked for :

“The successful candidate will have a strong background in enterprise software and Software-as-a-Service, along with experience of operating in the US market, within a growth equity-backed organization. They will have extensive international Merger and Acquisitions activity.”

Sharp’s experience and background meet these criteria. Enterprise Times asked Kimble whether that means the company was actively looking to make acquisitions. A spokesperson responded: “Kimble and Accel KKR continues to evaluate opportunities for strategic acquisition.”

Another, perhaps lower priority requirement in the advert was for “Exit/PE change of control experience.”

Kimble’s last funding round was led by Accel KKR in 2018. While another round does not seem that imminent, Kimble may need to raise funds for further international expansion. One of its main rivals on the Salesforce platform, FinancialForce, is already expanding into Europe. Another, Cloud Coach, had planned to do so soon as well.

Enterprise Times: What does this mean

Kimble is a fast-growing company. Sharp has worked in larger organisations. He has the experience to make any changes the company needs for its next phase of growth. Kimble has strengthened its leadership team with someone who seems a good cultural team to the founders and wider organisation. Kimble CEO Sean Hoban commented: “We are delighted to welcome Steve Sharp to our senior management team. He will strengthen the management team as we move to the next level of maturity and scale, as Kimble moves into its second decade.”

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