Pulsar Group Board
Joanna Arnold
Chief Executive Officer
Joanna joined Pulsar Group (formerly Access Intelligence plc) as COO in 2011 and became CEO in 2014, leading the company to becoming the third largest software provider to the UK PR and Communications industry. Today, the business is known for its commitment to using technology to transform the way in which journalists, politicians and online influencers access trusted, expert insight.
Her vision is a world of open and effective communication that tackles head on issues from fake news to information overload. Today, Pulsar Group has over 6,000 customers with more than 30,000 journalists, politicians and influencers using the software.
Before Pulsar Group, Joanna’s career included a combination of investment banking roles specialising in technology. Alongside her role at Pulsar Group, she is a non-executive director and RemCo Chair at Trailight Ltd, a compliance SaaS platform, solving regulatory challenges for Financial Services companies. Joanna graduated from Edinburgh University in 2004.
External appointment: Track Record Holdings Limited
Christopher Satterthwaite
Non-Executive Chairman
Christopher spent 15 years as chief executive at Chime where he remains a non-executive director. During his tenure as chief executive, Chime grew operating income from £54m (in 2003) to £246m in 2016. In 2015, he oversaw the sale of a majority stake in the business to Providence Equity Partners for £374 million.
He was also the senior non-executive director at Centaur Media plc and former Chairman of the Marketing Society and The Roundhouse. He became a CBE in 2017 for services to the arts.
He is currently chairman of Access Intelligence the Martech group delivering SaaS to the marketing and communications industries.
Committee Memberships: Remuneration Committee and Audit Committee (permitted by QCA Code)
External appointments: Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Limited
Zinc Media Group plc (Chair)
Mark Fautley
Chief Financial Officer
Mark was appointed CFO in August 2017, having joined Pulsar Group (then Access Intelligence) through acquisition in 2015. He has managed local and international finance teams in the Technology and Media sectors for more than 20 years and has significant experience within SaaS businesses operating in the global marketing and communications industries.
Mark has been employed by or delivered consulting engagements for a number of FTSE 100 and AIM businesses and has worked on the ground in 17 countries across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. He has experience in global M&A, fundraising and other corporate finance activities.
Mark qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCA).
Chris Pilling
Non-Executive Director
Chris Pilling joined Pulsar Group (then Access Intelligence) as Non-Executive director in August 2015.
Chris is a serial entrepreneur who possesses a wealth of experience in the development of global software and data businesses.
He founded several media, data and technology businesses including Complinet which specialised in the provision of governance risk and compliance solutions for the financial services industry. After the sale of Complinet to Thomson Reuters Chris served as the SVP of their Compliance and Regulatory Risk division.
He acts as a chairman, non-executive director, and strategic advisor for a range of fast-growing technology businesses.
Committee Memberships: Remuneration Committee (Chair)
External appointment: Chairman – Elliptic, Chairman – Fixr, Chairman – Xapien and Director – ComplyAdvantage
Sarah Vawda
Non-Executive Director
Sarah joined Pulsar Group (then Access Intelligence) as Non-Executive Director in March 2021.
Sarah is a highly experienced executive and non-executive director, with expertise across corporate strategy, M&A, finance, corporate governance, and corporate development. Sarah’s experience has been gained across multiple industries on a global basis in both private and public companies.
Sarah started her career qualifying as a chartered accountant at PwC before moving into senior M&A and corporate development roles within multinational organisations. She has held senior roles within several companies including Powergen Plc, Corus Group plc, Christian Salvesen plc, Provimi SA and Johnson Matthey plc. More recently, Sarah has pursued a portfolio career advising large listed and PE backed companies on their strategic, transformation and M&A agenda.
Sarah is also currently non-executive director of a Danish specialty protein business, Hamlet Protein, and an Indian animal feed business Noveltech Feeds, as well as being a Trustee and Audit Committee Chair of The Girls Network, a charity that provided mentoring to girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Committee Memberships: Audit Committee (Chair)
Lisa Gilbert
Non-Executive Director
Lisa joined Pulsar Group (then Access Intelligence) as Non-Executive director in October 2021.
Lisa is VP of Brand, Sponsorship & Content at Kyndryl and for the past 25 years, held a variety of roles globally including VP of Marketing of IBM Growth Markets based in Shanghai, China where she led 300 staff across China, APAC, Latin America and EMEA.
This coincides with other global growth roles such as Chief Marketing Officer at IBM Japan, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at IBM UK and Ireland and Vice President, Marketing Transformation at IBM North America. She is currently VP of Brand Sponsorship & Content at Kyndryl, after moving from being General Manager of the IBM Marketing Services centre.
Company Secretary:
Beyond Governance Limited was appointed as Company Secretary in 2019.