ERP Provider Forterro Boosts Executive Team With New Senior Hires

London, October 12, 2021—Forterro, a European provider of ERP software solutions to nearly 8,000 midmarket manufacturing and production companies, today added two new C-level leaders to its executive board. Frederic (‘Fred’) Stark joins as chief technology officer (CTO) and Sharon Looney as chief human resources officer (CHRO). Stark, based in Paris, and Looney, based in Cork, Ireland, have been tapped to continue the group’s growth strategy in Europe, following the appointments of Dean Forbes, CEO, and Paul Smolinski CFO, who took up their positions in March.

Stark will lead the technology and product strategy of Forterro’s portfolio, including global research and development (R&D) operations and group-wide cloud infrastructure services. Stark joins Forterro after an extensive career in software development, serving in technical leadership roles at Thomson Reuters, Misys PLC, KDS and American Express Global Business Travel. He launched his career in France as the co-founder of Almonde, where he led the development, engineering and support of the product until the company was acquired by Misys in 2004.

“I’m truly excited to be taking the technology lead across Forterro’s fantastic product set,” said Stark. “I’m here to find ways to take Forterro’s ERP solutions to the next level, particularly as relates to how we can apply the wealth of IP and experience that exists within to the group to achieve a faster time to market for new software technologies that can be leveraged for customer advantage.”

As CHRO, Looney is responsible for formulating Forterro’s HR strategy, placing people experience and organisational growth at the centre. Looney brings with her more than 25 years of experience in HR strategy and operations, serving in senior-level HR roles within some of the world’s largest software and manufacturing companies. She has extensive HR leadership experience across multiple geographies and industries, underpinned by global recognition and endorsement of her professional work.

“Forterro’s employees and operations are spread geographically throughout Europe and around the world,” said Looney. “It will be my job to celebrate Forterro’s diversity, while simultaneously fostering a more unified business culture that will support the growth ahead of us.”

Both appointments come as Forterro’s executive board prepares to announce strategies for growth under the leadership of Forbes.

“The transformative strategies we have designed for the accelerated growth of Forterro require the right executive team to deliver them,” said Forbes. “I am extremely impressed with the leadership Fred and Sharon have exhibited in their careers, not to mention the tremendous difference they have made to the fortunes of the people and businesses they have helped to direct.”