Software firm boss takes on new role

David Richards, the man behind fast-growing software firm WANdisco, is to take on the additional role of deputy chairman of 1Spatial, which provides software to the world’s mapping agencies.

Sheffield-born Mr Richards will help expand the company, which supplies the Ordnance Survey with software to update its records every day.

He joins at a time when the US Census Bureau is gearing up for a 2020 census that will see data collected in real time, rather than piecemeal surveys, using 1Spatial’s software. Last week 1Spatial raised £18m through a share placing to buy Star-Apic, which makes software to create, manage, analyse and display geospatial data.

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Mr Richards’s appointment as deputy non-executive chairman will become effective upon completion of the deal.

Mr Richards is the CEO, president and co-founder of Sheffield-based WANdisco which he founded in 2005.

1Spatial said he will bring a wealth of experience to the board, with over 15 years’ executive experience in the software industry.

He sits on a number of advisory and executive boards of Silicon Valley start-up ventures.

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Marcus Hanke, chief executive of 1Spatial said: “Given the recent success and interest 1Spatial has seen in new markets, such as utilities, and the need to map networks, and gain accurate insight into assets, Star-Apic is seen as a key acquisition opportunity.”