Appster attracts senior industry heavyweights as strategic advisors – StartupSmart
Appster, one of Australia’s fastest growing web and app development companies, has appointed two new strategic advisers to the business, former chief commercial officer at Virgin Australia, Liz Savage, and former CFO for PayPal, David Jaques.
Founded two years ago, Appster now has offices in Australia, India and the USA.
David Jaques has been instrumental in the financial success of several leading global organisations, including PayPal and BlueRun Ventures (Nokia’s venture capital fund). Currently the CFO at Greenough Consulting Group and former CFO at 500 Startups, Jaques launched his career with Barclays Bank PLC working in both London and New York until taking on the position of senior vice president at Silicon Valley Bank.
During his time at PayPal, Jaques was instrumental in raising private equity finance totalling $140 million and coordinated the merger of PayPal Inc. and X.com Corporation, resulting in a $680 million valuation. Under Jaques’ management as CFO, BlueRun Ventures’ assets increased from $150 million to $1 billion in six years.
Appster cofounder and managing director Mark McDonald says Jaques is an “institution” of the startup world.
“He has provided financial advice to some of the world’s leading organisations and I am thrilled he has agreed to join the Appster team as an adviser,” McDonald says.
Liz Savage, who joined as an adviser in May this year, has extensive experience in building and growing brands and businesses globally.
Savage was fundamental in building easyJet in its first 10 years from startup to Europe’s leading airline, which now operates across more than 30 countries and last year flew over 60 million customers.
Savage then joined Monarch Travel Group as managing director of its Flights & Holidays business, before being headhunted by Virgin Blue to the position of chief commercial officer in Australia, tasked with transforming the airline from low cost to premium, as well as launching and building the new brand of Virgin Australia.
Savage held accountability for the group’s $4 billion global revenue and customer-facing functions including sales, marketing, pricing, loyalty, contact centres and the group’s digital and holiday businesses.
McDonald says Appster’s future is looking very bright under the guidance of the two new appointments
“The whole team at Appster is honoured to be working with Liz and David and we look forward to taking Appster to the next level,” McDonald says.