Ottawa-based supply chain management software company Assent has appointed Michael Southworth as its new CEO, marking a significant leadership change as the company aims to reach its next major revenue milestone. Longtime CEO Andrew Waitman will transition to an executive chairman role, continuing his involvement in shaping the company’s strategic direction.
The decision comes as Assent continues its growth trajectory, having achieved ‘centaur status’ – $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) – last June. Southworth was “specifically chosen” to lead the company’s push toward a $250 million revenue target, praised for his “exceptional record of strategic growth and successful M&A leadership.”
Southworth, based in Grand Falls, Virginia, brings extensive experience from his previous roles, most recently serving as CEO of AI-enabled analytics platform Babel Street. His background includes executive positions at various American technology firms, including Transflo, Verint Systems, and Corning Incorporated. According to an Assent spokesperson, Southworth was selected for his “clarity of vision, operational excellence, and commitment to innovation,” as well as his deep expertise in AI, enterprise platforms, risk management, and supply chain resilience.
This leadership change is positioned to accelerate Assent’s global expansion, strategic acquisitions, and product innovation. While Southworth is based in Virginia, the company has confirmed he is “committed to deep engagement” with the Canadian team and plans to spend significant time in Ottawa and Assent’s other global offices. The company’s headquarters will remain in Ottawa.
Waitman’s tenure as CEO spanned over a decade, during which he led the company through 44 consecutive quarters of growth and built a global team exceeding 1,000 employees across four continents. As executive chairman, he will focus on long-term strategy and AI adoption while supporting the leadership team. “Michael brings the strategic clarity and operational excellence to take Assent to new heights,” Waitman said, expressing his continued commitment to the company’s success.
Assent’s platform helps complex manufacturers navigate compliance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting by collecting vendor management, ethical sourcing, and product data. The company’s trade solution, which gathers trade-related data such as country of origin and Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes, has seen increased demand amid ongoing global trade tensions and potential tariffs.
The company’s confidence in its growth trajectory remains unchanged, with its operating plan for 2025 on track. This continuity in strategy follows Waitman’s previous statement about achieving $200 million ARR within four years through consistent growth.
