CEO Appointment

13 March 2025

essensys plc

("essensys" or the "Company")

CEO Appointment

essensys plc (AIM:ESYS), the leading global provider of software and technology to the flexible workspace industry announces that Mark Furness has decided to retire as Chief Executive Officer, after founding essensys in 2006 and leading the business since launch. Mark Furness will be succeeded by James Lowery, Chief Operating Officer, who will take over as Chief Executive Officer on 1 May 2025.

James joined essensys in February 2022 as CEO, UK & Europe and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in March 2024. Previously, he co-founded and scaled British Land's Storey, a leading flexible office brand. With a background in strategy consulting at Booz & Company, he specialises in real estate innovation. James holds an MBA from London Business School and an MEng from Imperial College London.

Mark will continue as essensys' Chief Executive Officer until 1 May 2025, to support James through the transition process until he takes over as Group Chief Executive. Mark will remain on the Board of the Company and will move to a new role as a non-independent non-executive director of essensys with effect from 1 May 2025. 

Jon Lee, Non-Executive Chairman of essensys said: "Mark has defined essensys' culture, direction and strategy over the past two decades, transforming it into a leading global software and technology company within the flexible workspace industry. Having returned essensys to profit and cash generation, Mark leaves an exceptional product suite, a first-rate team and a strong platform to capture the flexible workspace opportunity. On behalf of the Board and on a personal level, I would like to thank Mark for his enormous energy and contribution to essensys over the last two decades."

" I am delighted that James will become the next Chief Executive Officer. James has a proven track record in scaling innovative real estate solutions and his background in consulting brings a unique perspective to our team. We believe that James is the perfect leader for essensys as it enters an exciting next phase. I look forward to working with James to build on the momentum in the business."

Mark said: "As part of our long-term succession planning, it is absolutely right that the next Chief Executive Officer of essensys is our current Chief Operating Officer, James Lowery, who has proved his leadership credentials to our people and customers consistently since he joined. I am confident that James has the know-how and skillset to take essensys to the next phase, now that we have an exceptional product suite for the flexible workspace industry. I am looking forward to working with James as part of a smooth handover."

James said: "I am delighted to have been selected as essensys' next Chief Executive Officer and excited by the opportunity to lead an outstanding team with products that meet our customers' needs in the flexible workspace industry."

For further information, please contact:

Additional information in respect of the AIM Rules

The following information regarding the appointment of James Andrew Lowery, aged 45, is disclosed under Rule 17 and Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies:

As at the date of this announcement, James Lowery does not hold any ordinary shares in the Company but does hold 649,740 options in essensys plc.

Save as set out above there are no further disclosures pursuant to Rule 17 or Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of the appointment of James Lowery.

About essensys plc 

Founded in 2006 and listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM Market, essensys is a leading global provider of software and technology to the commercial real estate industry.

Partnering with many of the world's leading landlords and flexible workspace operators, essensys delivers innovative digital experience (DX) solutions that drive occupancy, maximise yield and reduce operating costs. Its flagship products, essensys Platform and elumo, solve the complex challenges of managing physical and digital access in dynamic multi-tenant environments, while delivering deep space utilisation insights and transformative digital experiences.

With a focus on Access, Intelligence & Experience, essensys' products enable real estate leaders to unlock the full potential of their portfolios in today's flexible, hybrid world while ensuring they stay ahead in an era of dynamic workplace evolution.