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Melbourne-based human resources software giant Culture Amp has appointed Caroline Rawlinson as CEO after about 12 months serving as CFO and COO, to replace co-founder Didier Elzinga as he transitions to executive chairman.
The elevation of Rawlinson appears to have been potentially on the cards when she joined Culture Amp, according to Elzinga who will continue to provide leadership on long-term strategy and major partnerships.
“Our mission at Culture Amp is to create a better world of work, and to amplify the experience, and the impact, of over 100 million people,” says Elzinga.
“This year marks a key point in that journey. We built the industry leading product - and we created a movement of thousands of organisations powered by incredible cultures.”
“For the last two years we have been focused on unlocking what that looks like in the age of AI.”
Elzinga says the release of the company’s AI Coach three months ago has created an “incredible growth and opportunity” for the group, leveraging a near doubling of usage of its platform last year. AI Coach alone is showing triple digit growth across its global customer base.
“This is why I was so excited when we hired Caroline as CFO and COO just over 12 months ago as I knew we were hiring someone capable of much more,” says Elzinga.
“She has already proven herself as the leader we require to deliver at the pace and scale for the next stage of the journey.
“This will also give me the opportunity to focus my time and energy on the profound shift that AI offers all companies - but particularly CHROs (chief human resources officers) and our customers. I am incredibly excited about the journey forward and to announce her appointment as our new CEO."
Founded in 2009 by Elzinga, Doug English, Jon Williams, Rod Hamilton, Culture Amp is one of the world’s leading employee experience platforms, processing the data of more than 25 million staff across about 7,500 companies.
When Rawlinson joined Culture Amp as chief financial officer and chief operating officer, she brought with her more than 15 years of experience in leadership in growth businesses.
Over the past year, Rawlinson has broadened her responsibilities at Culture Amp across customer success, sales operations, and strategic planning, working closely with the company's thousands of customers globally.
“I’ve taken the time to deeply understand every aspect of the business, from the markets and customers we serve to our product vision, roadmap, and economics, and what makes this team exceptional,” says Rawlinson.
“Together, we’ve launched a category-defining AI Coach that customers use every day, delivered double-digit revenue growth, and achieved cash flow positivity. I’m energised to build on this momentum.”
The AI Coach is an artificial intelligence-powered assistant within the Culture Amp platform, designed to provide managers with personalised, data-driven guidance for people leadership.
Rawlinson says she that as CEO she is focusing on three priorities, namely “deepening the value we deliver to our customers through an AI-led product roadmap; sustainably scaling our platform and operations globally with a continued focus on operational excellence; and further defining and leading our category as AI reshapes the future of work”.
“We will deliver on these priorities by remaining a culture-first organisation, one where performance and purpose go hand in hand, building on a strong legacy in which our people are the true engine behind our innovation,” she says.
Roli Saxena, lead independent board director at Culture Amp, has welcomed Rawlinson’s appointment as CEO.
“Caroline has proven herself as an exceptional leader over the past year, and the board has complete confidence in her ability to drive Culture Amp's next chapter,” says Saxena.
“Combined with Didier's continued strategic vision, this partnership positions the company perfectly for exciting growth.”
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