Mark Bartels appointed CEO of Fergus to drive growth

Fergus, a leading job management software provider for the trade industry in Australia, has appointed Mark Bartels as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from 5 August 2024. Bartels, based in Sydney, brings a robust background in scaling software and payment companies, with a focus on small businesses.

Bartels’ previous roles include serving as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Ignition, a client engagement and commerce platform, and being the inaugural CFO at Invoice2go, which was acquired by Bill.com in 2021. His extensive domain experience in high-growth software companies, both in the US and Australia, is expected to propel Fergus into its next phase of customer base and revenue growth.

In a statement regarding his new role, Bartels expressed optimism about the future. "I am excited to lead Fergus when the demand for quality and reliable tradies, such as those in plumbing and electrical, is skyrocketing globally," he said. "The company has a growing and loyal customer base, and I see tremendous potential for growth and innovation in this software vertical. Fergus will focus on expanding in existing markets that are still massively underserved. I look forward to working with the talented team at Fergus to drive the company’s success and help our customers grow efficiently and manage their businesses."

Dan Pollard, the Founder of Fergus, also commented on Bartels’ appointment. “Mark Bartels is the perfect fit for Fergus, given his impressive background in scaling software companies and his deep understanding of the needs of small businesses. His strategic vision and hands-on leadership style make him uniquely qualified to lead Fergus through its next growth phase, enhancing its offerings and expanding its market presence. I am confident that Mark’s expertise will be instrumental in achieving Fergus’s ambitious goals and delivering exceptional value to customers.”

Bartels’ appointment marks a significant milestone for Fergus, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and superior service. The company, which provides job management solutions aimed at simplifying the administrative tasks of tradespeople, will now look to build upon its established reputation under Bartels' stewardship.

Fergus, founded by Dan Pollard in 2012, has developed a cloud-based platform that enables end-to-end operations management for small to mid-sized trades businesses. The software includes features such as automatic supplier invoice integrations, detailed profit margin reporting, and a mobile app for managing administrative tasks on the go. It also offers extensive tools for quoting, scheduling, timesheets, invoicing, GPS and workforce tracking, health and safety management, and resource planning.

The company has gained traction with over 20,000 tradespeople across eight countries, including Australia and New Zealand, using its services. Fergus integrates with accounting platforms such as Xero, QuickBooks, and MYOB and collaborates with leading suppliers like Bunnings, Reece, Rexel, Tradelink, MMEM, AWM, CNW, Haymans, and Samios.

With Bartels at the helm, Fergus looks set to bolster its market presence and enhance its service offerings, aiming for continued growth and innovation while maintaining its commitment to customer-centricity and delivering exceptional value to its users.