AVEVA appoints tech leaders for SaaS expansion

AVEVA, a prominent player in the industrial software industry, has announced the appointment of two new non-executive directors to its board in September. These appointments reflect the company's commitment to strengthening its focus on transitioning to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and expanding its presence in key markets like the US and China. Dr. Yanbing Li brings a wealth of experience as a global business and technology leader, renowned for her success in building market-leading products and overseeing hyper-growth businesses exceeding $1 billion in value. Her background in technology and engineering, coupled with her expertise in cloud commerce and enterprise software, makes her a valuable addition to the board as AVEVA navigates the evolving digital SaaS landscape. Carl Bass, former President and CEO of Autodesk, is another significant addition to AVEVA's board. He is credited with expanding Autodesk's portfolio beyond its core software offerings through strategic acquisitions and innovative product developments. His leadership in transitioning from 2D to 3D model-based design is noteworthy, and his co-founder roles in companies like Flying Moose, Ithaca Software, and Buzzsaw highlight his entrepreneurial spirit. Caspar Herzberg, AVEVA's CEO, expressed his enthusiasm about the new board members, emphasising their importance in shaping the company's strategic direction during a pivotal moment in its evolution toward pioneering software that drives digital innovation in various industries. AVEVA's Chairperson, Peter Herweck, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the expansion of the board as a crucial step in accelerating AVEVA's SaaS strategy and penetrating high-growth markets. He stressed the significance of the new directors' expertise in engineering and design software, as well as their extensive experience operating in global markets, particularly in Asia. AVEVA's strategic focus revolves around becoming the leading SaaS provider of industrial intelligence, with a transition toward a subscription-based business model currently underway. The company's journey from a niche design software developer to a global industrial software leader has resulted in software solutions that enhance efficiency and reduce costs for over 20,000 customers worldwide. AVEVA's offerings include end-to-end Digital Twin solutions that cover the entire asset lifecycle, from Engineering through to Operations and Maintenance, across diverse industries on a global scale.