Accloud plc

Board & Management

We’re led by experts in ITC, media, strategic communications, and sustainable enterprise. Together, we’re working to launch our platform internationally, making business management tools affordable, for those who need them most.

Ross James

Chief Executive Officer

Ross has 30 years at the forefront of the ITC industry. His contribution has included creating one of the first computer manufacturers in Taiwan, distributing quality products into the UK, Central Europe, Scandinavia and USA. He has extensive experience of developed export markets throughout USA, South EastAsia and Europe as well as online business strategies and applications locally and around the globe. Ross was deeply involved in the Application Service Provider(ASP) market during the 1990’s, which gave him extensive experience in client server computing and the next generation of utility and cloud computing. During the early stages of Internet adoption he was instrumental in developing distributed technologies to support low bandwidth capacity even with thick client applications. Ross has always been a natural leader, and especially in the technology arena, where he has been able to consistently see market opportunities and to develop new businesses ventures to fill the market gaps.

Ilona Zelentsova

CFO

As an experienced CFO Ilona will help guide the company through to post listing and the assist in assisting the board to appoint a Finance Director/CFO

Strategic Finance Business Partner/CFO/Finance executive with more than 15 years experience specifically focused on generating growth, improving profitability and streamlining operations in several sectors from the financial services (including insurance and foreign exchange), to IT and retail in companies ranging from small to multinational matrix organizations. Self-starter who is very comfortable in highly fluid, rapidly changing environments from start-ups to established multinationals undergoing everything from rapid growth to divestiture.

Specialties: Private Equity, Strategic Growth, Change management, Fund raising/Financing, Business, IPO. Transformation, Reorganizations, Operational Integration, M&A transactions and Investments analysis, Budget & Forecasting, Business and Financial controlling & analysis, Performance & KPI management, Cross-functional, Cross-border Management, Business development, Outsourcing of finance and administration functions, Accounting, Process improvement, Tax & Transfer pricing, Treasury & Cash-flow, Working Capital management, Risk & Governance management, SOX.

Ilona has a wealth of experience, previously working with:

  • Mataxis AB/ Matrix Ltd, London and Stockholm advising client companies in strategic changes and transformation aimed at generating growth and improving profitability
  • KKR/ Hilding Anders Group, Malmo, Sweden as Group Finance Director
  • Flowbird/Kale, Stockholm, Sweden as Group CFO
  • American Express Nordic, Stockholm, Sweden as Nordic CFO and Finance Director

Vinamra Shastri

Senior Manager and Advisor to South Asia Operations

Vinamra Shastri is the grandson of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the much loved second ever Prime Minister of India. His father, Sunil is also a well known and respected Indian Politician.

Vinamra was a senior partner at highly respected accounting firm Grant Thornton (India) and a key strategist in the company’s high growth and success in India. Vinamra oversaw the team that worked on Accloud’s Business Plan for India and has worked closely with our CEO, Ross James in the past.

Mr Shastri will work with our other senior advisor, Mr Amarendra Khatua to work with both governments and bureaucracy to build a broader user base. Vinamra will also be heavily involved in introducing prospective channel partners from telecommunications, banking and industry bodies.

Kapil Dev

Indian Brand Champion

Former Indian cricket captain and national hero joins Accloud to help drive digital transformation for SMEs Accloud is excited and humbled to announce that Kapil Dev, former Indian cricket captain and founder of Khushii, has been appointed as a Brand Ambassador. Kapil captained the Indian cricket team to World Cup glory in 1983, an achievement that is being immortalised in film this year. Since retiring from cricket, Kapil has played a significant role in India’s business and philanthropy communities. In 2003 Kapil founded independent non-profit Khushii, to empower women and children from marginalised communities in rural and urban India.

Highlights

• Kapil will help increase awareness of Accloud’s technology and innovative business platform with stakeholders across India
• Kapil brings an extensive network of business leaders and public figures
• Accloud’s commitment to social responsibility are closely aligned with Kapil’s charitable activities and drive to promote equality and prosperity across India
As one of India’s greatest sporting heroes and an ardent champion of inclusive education and fair business practices, Kapil’s support is further validation of Accloud’s positive social impact in the communities it serves. Accloud was founded on the belief that every business should have access to the tools they need to grow at the scale of their ambition. Its technology platform addresses the need for innovative solutions to the specific challenges faced by entrepreneurs in high growth markets. It is now rolling out its highly advanced multi-technology, mobile-first platform to provide seamless B2B e-commerce and best of breed accounting tools. Accloud and Kapil share a passion for inclusivity and empowerment. Through Khushii, Kapil has supported the education of over 20,000 students across India, enabling them to live better lives and escape poverty. He has worked tirelessly to develop educational programmes and founded schools in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. In addition to empowering SMEs, Accloud last year launched the Ernie James Academy to provide opportunities for at-risk schoolgirls from deprived families across India. The programme not only offers sponsorship and scholarship opportunities but also provides compensation to families for the loss of income as a result of the child not working, as is common in much of rural India.