Article

Level Four gets new leadership

New names at the helms in U.S. and U.K. expect focus on ATM growth.

November 18, 2007 by Tracy Kitten — Editor, AMC

Last week's BAI Retail Delivery Conference & Expo was the banking place to be. Industry experts from a host of financial backgrounds talked shop, debating what they expected to be hot in 2008.

 

In addition to mobile banking, branch automation and transformation, and advanced-deposit technology at the ATM, ATM software and multivendor solutions from third-party providers also garnered a fair share of attention. No doubt the industry's progressive migration to Windows is playing a role, as is the more open-mindedness of ATM deployers when it comes to ATM software. 

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At least that's the way one independent-software player based in the United Kingdom see it as it positions itself for global growth.

 

Level Four Software Ltd. is leveraging its Bridge ATM software suite of testing and monitoring tools to help the move to EMV in Europe and the use of multivendor software in the United States.

 

During last week's RD conference in Las Vegas, Level Four's chief executive Ian Kerr and newly named president for the Americas Steven Lund touted the strength Level Four has found since its widespread launch of Bridge. Lund replaced former Americas president Jorge Fernandez, who joined Level Four in 2004, and says he comes to the company during a time of dramatic growth in Canada and the United States.

 

Additionally, Level Four has changed its corporate strategy and altered its corporate structure - all to better fall in line with the company's renewed vision and focus.

 

"We are moving forward with growth," Kerr said, "and we're bringing people aboard who can help with that growth."

 

One such person is the company's new executive chairman, Bryan Taylor, who joined Level Four in August - about a month before the departure of the company's former executive chairman, Nigel Walsh.

 

Walsh, who had been with the company since its beginning, left to pursue other interests, Kerr said. Taylor, who has a breadth of experience with technology companies like Level Four, was hired to help Level Four build its capital.

 

According to a company statement, in addition to his position with Level Four, Taylor also serves as chairman of a number of venture-backed software businesses.

 

"(He) has a track record of helping young companies achieve their strategic goals, and ultimately a successful exit," the statement says. "Bryan has more than 30 years experience in the technology sector, and has previously held senior positions with companies, including ICL Fujitsu and Nokia."

 

At Level Four he will provide "strategic advice and guidance to help the company achieve its goal of being the leading independent provider of ATM software."

 

Level Four's board now comprises Taylor as chairman, Ian Kerr as CEO, Martin Macmillan as business-development director, and Jay Patel of SPARK Ventures.