The chief executive of CodeBase has stepped down from his role at an “inflection point” for the support platform for Scottish technology companies.
Stephen Coleman, who has been chief executive of Edinburgh-based CodeBase since 2016, will move into the role of group chairman as the organisation targets becoming a “powerhouse for founder support across every stage of growth” for firms within the technology sector.
CodeBase, which was co-founded by Mr Coleman and Steven Drost, started out as a hub for start-ups but now pursues the broader remit of providing a global technology ecosystem platform.
The outgoing boss has been replaced on an interim basis by chief strategy officer and former Barclays veteran Jon Hope while the search for a new permanent boss gets under way.
CodeBase has also drafted in former Skyscanner executive Richard Lennox to its board.
Mr Lennox, who following his spell with Skyscanner was chief operating officer of care-at-home platform Current Health, guiding its growth in the build up to its sale to Best Buy for $400m in 2021, will serve as interim COO to support the leadership transition.
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Mr Coleman said: “We're at an inflection point for CodeBase, and these leadership changes are part of our overall evolution into a powerhouse for founder support across every growth stage.
“With Jon's ecosystem-building expertise and Richard's proven scale-up track record leading our fantastic team, and with the support of Gillian Docherty and the CodeBase board, we’re supercharging our ability to help founders navigate from early stage to global scale.
“This next phase of CodeBase is about impact, focused support for founders, creating more success stories, and becoming a true launchpad for world-changing companies.”
CodeBase operates across Scotland, the UK, and internationally, delivering programmes for the Scottish and UK governments, European Union, and other partners.
It runs the Techscaler programme, which supports more than 1,500 start-ups and scale-ups, for the Scottish Government, as well as CodeClan, the digital skills programme that focuses on software engineering and agentic AI.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes recently announced the extension of the Techscaler programme across the Atlantic, with the programme’s first visit to the east coast of the US taking place this year. Trips to California’s Silicon Valley and Asia are also planned.
In his new role, Mr Coleman will work alongside Mr Drost, the executive vice chair of CodeBase, on “strategic growth opportunities”.
Ms Docherty, non-executive chair of CodeBase, said: “Stephen has been a big part of CodeBase’s DNA and has led the business over a 10-year span that included the challenging times of Covid-19 pandemic, and we’re extremely pleased that he will remain integral to CodeBase’s leadership going forward.
“Jon’s track record and commitment to CodeBase since joining has been stellar, and is a perfect fit for the interim CEO role to support this organisation-wide evolution. And in Richard Lennox, at a juncture where CodeBase intensifies its focus on helping our brightest start-ups to scale across the globe, we have an incredible appointee to the board and interim COO role.
“Jon and Richard will lead CodeBase through this transitional period, guiding the business into its next phase of evolution.”
CodeBase said it expects to make further announcements related to its leadership later in the year.
Ms Docherty said: “We have a strong leadership team in place who know the business inside out and are locked in on strategic priorities, and the view of the board is that it is important to take the necessary time to ensure the right appointment for CodeBase’s long-term success.”
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