Supply chain partner Achilles appoints new CEO Paul Stanley

Paul Stanley joined Achilles after an extensive search of four months for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With 25 years’ previous experience in leading global technology and data analytics businesses undergoing digitisation, Stanley was an ideal candidate for the position.

Stanley has worked across a range of sectors in over 90 countries, from FinTech and energy to software and digital media. 

As well as leading Global Navigation Solutions (GNS) through digital transformation and its successful exit in 2019, Stanley was founder and CEO of Moneybox, and Senior Vice President (SVP) and Managing Director of First Data International.

Stanley was also previous CEO of Retail Decisions (ReD), a company using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to support businesses in risk management, fraud and security solutions for electronic payments.

Managing supply chain disruption and supporting ESG and sustainability 

Now, as CEO of Achilles, Stanley will manage the company as it guides businesses through ongoing disruptions in the supply chain and ensures that all clients are meeting critical humanitarian and environmental standards.

“Achilles is a business with a purpose, people, processes, and a modern platform to help organisations manage ethical, resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chains. The pandemic exposed the vulnerability of global and local supply chains. Weather volatility, energy shocks and geopolitical events are also impacting supply chains at a time when regulation and social expectations are demanding that organisations display the highest standards in ethics and sustainability,” commented Stanley.

Stanley believes in helping his colleagues reach their full potential by delivering outstanding services to customers. The CEO wants to harness and utilise the value of data, and continue to improve businesses through investments in training and incremental innovation.

“I am looking forward to working with Chair Craig Rodgerson and the wider board and investment team at Bridgepoint Development Capital.  Most importantly, I am excited by what we can deliver for our customers and the engagement with the excellent global team at Achilles,” Stanley added.

“Many organisations have pledged to build back better, increasing their efforts in ESG and sustainability. Achilles can help buyers and suppliers to meet that pledge and we are committed to playing our part in improving the world one supply chain at a time.”

Achilles is the partner of choice for supply chain risk and performance management

Not only will Stanley take on responsibility of Achilles’ offices and networks around the world, across multiple sectors, but he will also follow in the footsteps of previous CEO Jay Katzen, who has been with Achilles for six years.

Katzen commented: “After six great years at Achilles, I’ve decided now is the time to step down as CEO of Achilles. Following the successful sale of the business to Bridgepoint last October, and feeling very good about the foundations we have in place across the organisation, it feels like the right time to hand the reins over, to relax and spend more time with my family.

“I am really proud of all we’ve achieved at Achilles, and I have been extremely lucky to have had a great team throughout this journey. In six years, we have transformed the organisation both from a technology standpoint and a cultural one; it is truly a purpose driven organisation, and there is a genuine belief and passion in the vision to create a more sustainable future delivering supply chains that are ethical, effective and efficient. I look forward to working with Paul to ensure a smooth transition,” he continued.

Achilles has been a pivotal link between buyers and suppliers for over 20 years. Through supplier pre-qualification programmes, industry audits, and risk management, Achilles provides data and guidance to give its clients the visibility and insight they need into the businesses they are partnered with.

Stanley concluded: “I am excited to be joining Achilles as it builds on a thirty-year history and leverages the functionality and usability of the new MyAchilles platform. My sincere thanks to Jay for his warm welcome and thoughtful handover – he has done an incredible job steering this business through the pandemic and the re-platforming simultaneously.  He remains an active supporter of the business, and I wish him well in the next phase of his career.”