Ann Budge steps down at Calnex as Kelisky joins board

Ann Budge

Heart of Midlothian Football Club chair Ann Budge is to retire as non-executive director of Linlithgow-based telecoms testing and measurement firm Calnex Solutions plc.

Calnex announced the appointment of Google Cloud boss Helen Kelisky as non-executive director of the company with immediate effect.

Following 13 years on the Calnex board, Budge has informed its board that she will step down on February 28, 2023.

“Ann was an early-stage investor in Calnex and was pivotal in bringing the Discovery Investment Fund syndicate as investors when the group raised seed investment in 2007,” said Calnex.

“Since this time, Ann has made a significant contribution to Calnex, in particular by supporting Tommy Cook, CEO and founder, as he sought to establish Calnex as a leader in the test and measurement sector.”

Calnex said Kelisky brings over 30 years’ of technology sales leadership experience and a track record of driving top line growth and leading national and international businesses.

“Helen is currently managing director of Google Cloud in the UK and Ireland, responsible for leading its sales strategy and go-to-market sales operations,” said Calnex.

“Previous roles include board member and vice president of cloud sales at Salesforce UKI, and vice president of Cloud at IBM, where she spearheaded the $1 billion+ business for cloud services and software sales and delivery.

“Helen has been recognised as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in UK Tech, one of the top 50 UK Sales Leaders and currently sits on the board of Women in Telecommunications and Technology, a non-profit networking group focused on education and enhancing women’s careers.”

Calnex chair Stephen Davidson said: “We are excited to welcome Helen to the board.

“Her experience across the cloud and data centre world will undoubtedly be of immense value to Calnex as we exploit the growth in the testing market, with the need for greater efficiency and performance in data centre operations.

“On behalf of Tommy and the rest of the board, I would like to thank Ann for the valuable role she has played in Calnex’s growth journey, helping to establish a solid platform to support the group’s financial and strategic ambitions, and we wish her well for the future.”