PE-backed Think Project! recruits Burton as CEO

Munich-based Think Project! a cloud-based common data environment provider for construction and engineering, has named Gareth Burton as CEO. Burton is the former CIO of Laing O’Rourke. Think Project! is a portfolio company of TA Associates.

PRESS RELEASE

Munich – 7 May, 2019 – think project!, a leading cloud-based Common Data Environment (CDE) provider for construction and engineering, today announced the appointment of Gareth Burton as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Formerly the CIO of UK contractor Laing O’Rourke and, since January 2018, a Non-Executive Director and member of the board of directors at think project!, Mr. Burton will assume responsibility for leading the strategic direction of Europe’s largest Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) construction software company.

Thomas Bachmaier, who has served as CEO since co-founding think project! in 2000 and has grown the company to more than 300 employees, will remain a shareholder and actively involved in the business as a Non-Executive Director and a member of the board of directors.
Said Mr. Bachmaier: “After TA Associates took a strategic shareholding in think project! at the end of 2016, we strengthened the management team to support the rapidly growing domestic and international business. On the back of the organisation’s strength, I have decided to transition to a more strategic role in the company. Gareth is the right person to take over as CEO to continue think project!’s geographic expansion in Europe and beyond, and to continue our strong revenue growth while further expanding our product portfolio.”

Mr. Burton has strong knowledge of the technology and process automation requirements of construction and software businesses having worked in a number of technology companies, including Motorola and BT, and having held board level IT positions within the oil and gas, mining and construction sectors, serving as CIO of Finastra and Laing O’Rourke, one of the UK’s largest construction companies. Mr. Burton will work closely in collaboration with think project!’s management team and board to further scale the business.

Said Mr. Burton: “I have been privileged to work with Tom on the think project! board of directors for the past 16 months, and I would like to thank him and the entire organisation for the confidence that they have placed in me. This is an evolutionary step in think project!’s development. I am excited to execute on the company’s ambitious growth strategy that we are committed to delivering in pursuit of our vision to be the global leader in construction intelligence.”

As a Non-Executive Director and member of the board of directors, Mr. Bachmaier will contribute on corporate strategy, manage relationships with major customers and work closely with the executive leadership team.

think project! has had a strong start to date in 2019, with revenue growth in excess of 30% in the first quarter. Furthermore, the company acquired ceapoint in March 2019 to further strengthen its BIM offering, and has won several major new clients, including City of Munich, Berlin Airport, NEPI Rockcastle Poland, SPIE France and VanOord Windparks Netherlands.

About think project!:
think project! was founded in 2000 in Munich, Germany. Since then, the company has grown into the leading Software-as-a-Service provider for cross-enterprise collaboration and information management in Europe.

For nearly 20 years, think project! has delivered a readily available and shapeable common data environment (CDE) for construction and engineering projects. think project! meets the emerging need for digital construction solutions to facilitate cross-enterprise collaboration and overall information management. think project! also offers building information modelling (BIM) and interface process management solutions to general business applications such as ERP.