Dubber has named Matthew Bellizia as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Bellizia begins his role this Tuesday, September 10, with Dubber highlighting his "extensive and relevant global technology business experience". He replaces interim CEO Peter Pawlowitsch, who has held the role since February.
"I’m very excited to be joining Dubber and leading the company on the next part of its growth journey," Bellizia said.
Dubber has a number of key fundamental attributes, including strong customer retention and a technology platform with over 225 communication service provider relationships to deliver its exciting conversational intelligence products. It presents a unique opportunity to build from this strong base and streamline the business to align with the company’s dual objectives of growth and profitability."
Bellizia is Dubber's new permanent CEO after his predecessor, Steve McGovern (also Dubber's Managing Director at the time), was suspended by the company after the business uncovered a financial anomaly in its accounts. Pawlowitsch stepped up as acting CEO.
The discovery occurred during the audit review of Dubber's half-year accounts at the end of 2023, prompting the company to notify the market that it was attempting to locate $26.6 million, which was believed to be held in a term deposit account.
Dubber adds that Pawlowitsch will return to his previous role as part-time Executive Director.
More On Bellizia's Background
For 20 years, Bellizia co-founded and served as CEO of MTData, a company providing software and mobile technologies to industries like transport, mining, and government. Operating across several regions, Dubber highlights that MTData grew to $70 million in revenue and 160 staff globally. Telstra acquired MTData’s transport division in 2017, where Bellizia remained CEO until 2023, while A2B Australia purchased its taxi division in 2018.
Bellizia began his career as a software engineer, followed by roles as Software Manager, Product Manager, and General Manager of International Sales and Marketing before his appointment as CEO in 2003.
"Matthew has extensive experience in global technology businesses," said Dubber Chairman Neil Wilson. "Matthew has a deep understanding of the importance of data in driving business outcomes, which aligns with the Dubber solution's current and future solution direction. He has the skills and experience to lead the company to its target of operating cash flow break-even in FY25 and to build market share and revenue growth into the future."
Dubber's Difficult 2024
The discovery of the accounts anomaly sparked a severely challenging few months for Dubber, with the company subsequently describing the incident as "the Event".
Dubber’s preliminary investigation following the audit review process found that the fund may have been used for “other purposes” in February.
