New chair for Connect Childcare

Nelson-based Connect Childcare has appointed Paul Kennedy as its new chairman to oversee an accelerated growth programme.

Connect produces specialist software which helps manage nurseries and early years education. The company recently secured additional funds from Seascape Capital Holdings.

Paul Kennedy has held a number of executive and non-executive positions over the last 25 years., including work with FTSE 100, privately owned and private equity-backed organisations. 

He has gained a wealth of experience in growing technology-enabled service businesses, across multiple sectors and led his first management buyout for Inprova Group in 2008 despite turmoil in the financial markets during that time. 

He subsequently transformed the business into a multi-disciplinary services provider, operating in the procurement, payment services and public services arenas. Over a 15 year period, Paul executed a successful growth strategy, driven both organically and through acquisition across all areas of the group.

Chris Reid, CEO of Connect Childcare, said: “We’ve been in dialogue with Seascape for a number of months now. Although we’ve had the continued support of existing investors, it was clear that Paul’s  passion for our vision, coupled with his wealth of experience in helping to scale businesses in our phase of growth, offered the right opportunity to revitalise our board structure.”

Paul added: “I’m delighted to be joining the Connect Childcare team. The business has a well-established, market-leading position and I look forward to working with Chris on accelerating the company’s growth plans.”

With the launch of new enquiries and parental onboarding modules ahead of the next nursery intake in September, Paul will have a ‘hands on’ role, working closely with the leadership team at Connect Childcare to improve the Software-as-a-Service(SaaS) platform for its pre-existing 3,500-plus childcare settings.