Critical Path Inc. , the San Francisco, Calif.-based provider of communication platforms and integrated messaging solutions, today announced the appointment of Pierre Van Beneden as the company’s new president.
Van Beneden, an industry veteran, brings more than two decades of experience in managing complex reorganizations. In his last position as executive vice president of worldwide sales and services at IBM/Lotus, Van Beneden achieved billion dollar revenue objectives, leading the company to profitability for the first time since 1994.
Prior to this, Van Beneden spent almost a decade at Oracle France, a division of software giant Oracle Corp., managing global growth strategies. Here, he was elected worldwide ‘Manager of the Year’ in 1989, and during the five-year period from 1989 to 1994, revenues for the division, where he served as managing director, increased more than 900 percent.
“The global messaging market is changing dynamically and rapidly,” says David Hayden, Critical Path’s founder and executive chairman. “Pierre Van Beneden has an outstanding track record in a key aspect of this market and a strong record in successfully building businesses and driving revenue. We believe Pierre’s value and contribution to Critical Path’s future will be outstanding,” he says.
Van Beneden argues that Critical Path’s communication platform is uniquely positioned to meet the increasing market demand for these integrated communication solutions and that he can draw on his experience to help the firm achieve its full potential:
“I have worked with several companies in transition and have seen firsthand how a good strategic roadmap and solid organizational structure can lead to positive results. I feel that the Company’s vision and new structure, coupled with its innovative products and services, offer unlimited opportunities for success,” he says.
“Pierre’s addition to the Critical Path team is a strong endorsement of our successful financial restructuring,” says Bill McGlashan, Critical Path’s Jr. former president and CEO. He believes Van Beneden’s leadership experience will help bolster the firm’s international profile as it enters into its next phase.
Van Beneden holds a Ph.D. and in business management from Paris University as well as business management Master’s degree from Paris Dauphine. He is a recognized spokesperson on economic and business affairs and has co-authored a book titled Meta Organizations and has spoken at the World Economic Forum on the subject of ‘The Role of Information Technology on Education.’
Van Beneden will report to McGlashan, who was appointed interim CEO in April, 2001 after the Critical Path announced 450 layoffs, including the firm’s CEO and VP of business development.
Hayden, who returned to the company in February, 2001 after the firm came under legal attack from investors who accused the company of scheming to defraud investors in order to artificially boost its own stock price, will remain executive chairman.
