Pilgrim Software Names Thierry Durand as CEO

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pilgrim Software, Inc., a world-leading provider of Enterprise Risk, Compliance and Quality Management (ERCQM) software solutions, today announced that software industry veteran Thierry Durand has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Pilgrim’s Executive Board. Durand succeeds Pilgrim Software co-founder Ami Utji as CEO.

“I'm truly excited to lead Pilgrim in this next chapter of what already has been an impressive era”

With three decades of experience and leadership in driving global growth and shareholder value within the software industry, Durand will steer Pilgrim Software into a new era of product and market expansion. Under Durand, Pilgrim will fortify its position as leader in ERCQM throughout North America and expand its presence globally, as well as lead the launch of innovative new products to help life science companies meet their quality, regulatory, and compliance needs.

“We believe Thierry’s proven leadership on a global stage, and in particular, his insight into the software needs and requirements of the Life Sciences industry, is fully in synch with the long-term corporate strategic plan as we move forward,” said Philip Borden, Chairman of Pilgrim’s Board of Directors. “We’re looking to accelerate the company’s expansion, and with his commitment to elevating service quality levels and revenue growth, Thierry is in a unique position to lead the charge.”

"I'm truly excited to lead Pilgrim in this next chapter of what already has been an impressive era,” said Durand. “I feel extremely proud to succeed Ms. Utji as CEO and to take the reins of a company with such a solid product platform and a strong focus on both the customer and technology.

“Pilgrim has a sound foundation from which to grow, and I look forward to working with the entire organization to solidify its position as the ERCQM leader in North America and expand globally, beginning in Europe by helping regulated companies meet EU directives,” he said.

Prior to joining Pilgrim, Durand was Vice President at Dendrite (later Cegedim Dendrite) where he established its European operations and later led its growth across Latin America and Asia-Pacific, making Dendrite a global leader in the CRM marketplace for the life science industry.

Additionally, following European software company Cegedim’s acquisition of Dendrite in 2007, Durand’s role focused on the North American integration of Cegedim and Dendrite. During this time, Durand led the growth of sales to top pharmaceutical customers through new product offerings in Open Technology and Software as a Service (SaaS).

Previously, Durand was a Director of European and International Sales and Business Operations for Hewlett-Packard and Prisme SA, a leader in ERP in France. He also was Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development for Systech International, the leader of Packaging Execution Systems (PES) for pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology.

Durand holds an MBA in International Marketing from the University of San Francisco and the Institut Supérieur de Gestion in France, as well as an MS in Economics and an advanced degree in Computer Management from the University of Lyon (France).

“We are pleased to welcome Thierry Durand to Pilgrim, and we’re looking forward to reaching an even broader audience with our solutions to help customers transform their enterprises into world-respected, compliant and profitable businesses,” Borden said. “We’d also like to thank Ami Utji for her tremendous contribution to the establishment of Pilgrim and her leadership that has been so instrumental in taking the company to where it is today.”

Former CEO Utji, who led Pilgrim Software from its beginning to become an award-winning global software provider, will remain on Pilgrim’s Board and continue to support the company with key strategic initiatives.

“I’m very proud to have been involved in the founding of Pilgrim Software and of the accomplishments made by so many in the company over the years as we have navigated the evolution of our industry,” Utji said. “Pilgrim is exceptionally well positioned strategically, and with its extremely talented executive team, supported by a dedicated and customer-focused work force, I’m confident that the company will continue to grow as leader in the enterprise risk, compliance and quality management industry.”

About Pilgrim Software, Inc.

Pilgrim Software, Inc. is a world-leading provider of Enterprise Risk, Compliance and Quality Management solutions for global organizations. Through its integrated platform, Pilgrim helps organizations manage industry and regulatory compliance, address potential risks, reduce manufacturing costs and improve customer satisfaction. Pilgrim has been named North American Enterprise Compliance & Quality Management Company of the Year – Best Practices by Frost & Sullivan, and winner of its 2010 North American Best-In-Class Customer Value Enhancement Award in the Enterprise Risk, Compliance and Quality Management Market for the Life Sciences Industry. For more information, visit Pilgrim Software’s website at www.pilgrimsoftware.com.