A French Multinational company that specialises in security and identity solutions, including facial identification systems and biometrics services has announced new board and management changes as it positions itself for growth. 

IDEMIA formerly known as OT Morpho before acquiring its new brand identity is a major player in Kenya’s identity technology business with big clients such as Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In the new appointments, Pierre Barrial, a veteran of multinational ICT and security has been picked by the company’s supervisory board to head IDEMIA Group business as President and CEO.

Barrial has more than 25 years’ experience with multinational and multicultural tech companies serving both the government and enterprise sectors. He was in charge of SET, having previously managed IDEMIA’s Mobile Operators then Financial Institutions activities, both today part of the Secure Enterprise Transactions (SET) division. 

He takes over from Yann Delabrière, a former advisor to the French Minister of External Trade who has been acting as president and CEO since October 2018. Delabrière has returned to his role as Chairman of the Board where he will continue to contribute his strategic and governance direction to the company.

commenting on the changes, Delabriere said the firm had chosen a world class executive to manage the Group after a carefully prepared succession plan.

“IDEMIA has demonstrated remarkable resilience since the beginning of this year and our business fundamentals  are strong and bode well for the future,” he said. On his part, Barrial said he is honoured and excited to have been chosen as CEO of the group.

 Barrial’s former position as head of SET Division has been taken over by Matthew Cole, who has joined the Group from world leader in contactless technology for transportation, ubic Corporation.  

In a statement announcing the new changes, IDEMIA Supervisory Board said Cole brings a wealth of experience in this space, having been President of Cubic Transportation Systems, the leading integrator of payment and information solutions and related services for intelligent travel applications in the transportation industry. 

He will be based in the US and will sit on the Group Executive Committee, as SET division’s CEO.

Commenting on his appointment as head of SET, Cole said he is thrilled and proud to join IDEMIA as CEO of the SET division. 

“I plan to work hand in hand with my teams and Group senior management to bring the company’s strategy and growth targets to fruition,” said Cole.

Over the last 18 months, IDEMIA has restored its growth and cash generation performance after the creation and successful integration of IDEMIA. 

Earlier this year, the company got a reprieve after the High Court in Kenya quashed a recommendation by the National Assembly to ban the business from operating in Kenya for 10 years. 

The High Court also set aside the recommendation to cancel all the company’s contracts with IEBC opening the door for the firm to continue supplying the electoral body with technology solutions.