A tech entrepreneur has stepped down from the top job at the business software firm she launched in 2018. Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE, has left the post of chief executive of Leicestershire-based e-bate, saying the time was right to move on and take "a digital detox".
She has been replaced by John O'Sullivan who has a long background helping businesses grow through people and technology. The e-bate software platform helps companies to manage and simplify rebate and promotional incentives schemes – which are historically complex and calculated manually using spreadsheets.
As well as running e-bate, Ms Bonner-Cooke also founded software company Evolve-IT Consulting and was awarded an MBE in 2017 for her services to women in business.
She has completed a number of funding rounds for e-bate, taking the total raised by the company to more than £4 million.
She said: “I am leaving behind a business I established and am very proud of.
“We’ve achieved great things together as a team and have provided the foundations of a SaaS (Software as a Service) business that will continue to go from strength to strength.
“For me, it’s time to take a new direction. e-bate was my concept, and for that I will forever be proud. I will continue to follow the company’s progress and support the team where I can.”
Posting on Linked In she said: “I have stepped down as the CEO of e-bate Limited five years after having the vision.
“I would like to thank all customers, suppliers and especially the team that have been on the journey with me.
“After 17 years of running my own businesses, which all of you entrepreneurs' know means you are switched on 24x7, I am going to take some time out for myself to recharge, reflect, rediscover and replan the next chapter.
“My first port of call is a digital detox and wellbeing retreat down on the south coast. Other than that you will find me walking, cycling and paddle boarding.”
John O’Sullivan said he was keen to continue e-bate’s growth using the experience and leadership skills he had gained working internationally across several different market sectors.
He was a pioneering member of the entrepreneurial internet start-up community in the 90s, moving on to lead businesses in consumer products, retail, ecommerce, travel, recruitment and HR.
He founded flexible hours recruitment agency Ten2Two in 2007 where he remains chair, and is on the board of Oaklands Further Education College in Hertfordshire.
He said: “I’m thrilled to take the reins at e-bate. I’ve experienced the power of effective rebate management first-hand so I’m looking forward to working with the talented e-bate team to enable more and more businesses to optimise their commercial rebates in the UK and international markets.”
