Experience

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  DFN Freight Exchange Inc.

  • Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

  • Chairman & Acting CFO

    • Nov 2020 - Present
    • Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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  PrismTech Group Limited

  • Stirling, Scotland

  • CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE

    • Mar 2005 - Dec 2015
    • Stirling, Scotland

    A leading provider of DDS middleware, the PrismTech Group has developed and markets a suite of communications infrastructure software for the industrial Internet of Things market.After initially being appointed the company’s Non-Executive Chairman, invested in this VC-backed communications software provider to build a ‘Fortune 500’ customer base in the USA, Canada, Europe, South America and the Asia Pacific region.Managed the transition of a failing company to one with clear focus, secured £3m of debt & equity to fund an aggressive R&D program and re-positioned the business to capitalise on the emerging ‘IoT’ space with a real-time industrial internet messaging platform.The company’s new Vortex product was launched in 2014 as an evolution of its OpenSplice product line that already had an impressive international customer base in the USA, Germany, France, Brazil, China, South Korea and IndiaThe company reported a profitable $17m turnover in the 2013-14 financial year after which Cairns led the company’s sale to ADLink Technology of Taiwan in December 2015.

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  Global Logistics Technology

  • King of Prussia, PA, USA

  • CHIEF EXECUTIVE

    • Apr 2003 - Jan 2005
    • King of Prussia, PA, USA

    Global Logistics Technology was a VC-backed logistics software company (Mayfield, Pilgrim Baxter, Focus group amongst others) with an innovative web-based platform that enabled companies to manage orders and to plan and optimise shipping routes. Instrumental in turning around the company’s performance, stemming the drain on its cash, and resolving internal management conflict and serious morale issues.Re-organised the business into three profit centres, implemented a cost reduction plan, changed some of the management team, introduced stronger financial planning and control systems and secured the flagship Sears account along with Toll in Australia and Exel in the UK, as well as several mid-tier 3PLs.After re-energising the organisation and dramatically elevating self-belief and morale, without raising additional capital, the G-Log team built the company to 200 people generating profitable revenue of $40m with positive cash flow.Led the sale process, intermediated between shareholders to reach agreements and negotiated a sale at >2x revenue to Oracle.

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  Martlet Venture Management

  • Toronto, Canada

  • CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE

    • Feb 1996 - Jan 2001
    • Toronto, Canada

    Formed an international network of investors in early stage technology, reversed this partnership onto the TSX and built a portfolio of five companies in the USA and Canada. Managed an increase in the stock price and the sale of the company to a German venture capital group at a premium.

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  PSI AG

  • Berlin, Germany

  • NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    • Jan 1999 - Nov 1999
    • Berlin, Germany

    Also the Chief Executive of the company’s PsiPenta software products subsidiary.PSI is an engineering services group that had developed ERP software modules for the energy and utilities sectors and was seeking to productise its intellectual property.Following investment in product marketing, product configuration and sales, took the product to market with a focus on rapid implementation for small and mid-sized enterprises companies, which was under-served by larger competitors at the time. Revenue increased to DM59m in two years, with the company winning multiple million-dollar accounts competing against SAP. The company leveraged the success of PsiPenta to achieve a successful IPO on the DAX.

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  Baan Company

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands and Silicon Valley, USA

  • Managing Director Operations, Executive Vice President & CFO

    • 1994 - 1996
    • Amsterdam, Netherlands and Silicon Valley, USA

    Established the company’s Finance team and finance & control processes, built its presence in the USA and established communication with bankers and potential investors for an IPO. Oversaw the creation of a vertical market strategy as a platform for growth, re-focused R&D programs to develop differentiated offerings and strengthened the direct sales capability, leveraging a $20m Boeing win as an initial reference.Revenue increased to $200m+, the company successfully listed on the NASDAQ and ASX and its market capitalisation increased to US$2 billion within 6 months of the IPO.

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  Uniface

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Chief Financial Officer

    • Mar 1993 - Feb 1994
    • Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Uniface was a a $60m a year Dutch client/server software tools company.Implemented the necessary systems, controls and plans to prepare for IPO and negotiated a $350m sale to Compuware, which far exceeded shareholder expectations.

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  Marcam Corporation

  • Boston, MA, USA

  • Chief Financial Officer

    • Aug 1989 - Feb 1993
    • Boston, MA, USA

    Marcam was a process manufacturing ERP software company. Built a business-oriented financial organisation, established the company’s Treasury, Legal and HR functions, listed the company on the NASDAQ, and enabled the business to grow organically and through acquisition from 100 employees to a profitable enterprise with 1,000 employees.