Nordic digital identify firm Signicat has hired former Nets executive Asger Hattel as CEO and Ingenico stalwart Johan Tjärnberg as chairman, as new owner Nordic Capital stamps its imprint on the company.
Founded in Trondheim, Norway in 2007, Signicat claims more than 500 clients, connects to more than 20 ID schemes globally and verifies more than 20 million transactions per month. The company has a particular stronghold in the financial services sector, with clients such as DNB, Klarna, Rabobank, Santander, Société Générale and Western Union.
Nordic Capital acquired the business in April last year, with the intention of expanding its ID assurance and digital onboarding toolbox into new international markets.
Incoming CEO Hattel takes over from incumbent and founder Gunnar Nordseth, who will remain with the company in a business development role.
Hattel was let go from his role as head of merchant services at Nets in November last year. At the time, Nets chief Bo Nilssson remarked: “With his clear commercial drive and strong customer focus, Asger has been essential for building our Merchant Services business. Our assessment is, however, that we need a different profile to lead the Merchant Services division through the next phase of our strategic journey which includes expansion into Europe.”
Of Hattel's appointment, Signicat founder Nordseth, says: "We have now come to a phase where I want to hand over the leadership reins to a leader with greater experience in international expansion, and in scaling the business to the benefit of current and future customers. I will continue to be committed to Signicat as shareholder and I am looking forward to work closely with Asger, focusing on innovation and business development."
Johan Tjärnberg, the newly appointed chairman of Signicat, has a proven track record in building strong global fintech businesses, previously holding positions as CEO of Bambora and EVP of the Ingenico Group’s Retail Business Unit. At year-end he took up a role as Special Advisor to the Ingenico Group and during 2020 he will join the Board of Ingenico.
In 2018, Signicat generated revenues of approximately EUR19 million, primarily consisting of recurring subscription or transaction based revenues. The company has circa 115 employees across offices in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.