Vindico has announced a strategic restructuring of its leadership team as it prepares to enter a new phase of innovation and growth in 2025.

2024 has been a big year for Vindico. From celebrating 10 years in business and launching SWAPP 3.0, to expanding our team and building even more tech partnerships.

And with these impressive milestones comes change to drive even more growth as we look ahead to 2025.  

Effective immediately, Co-Founder Jo Polson who was recently named Technology Entrepreneur of the Year at the prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Awards ­– will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), guiding Vindico through its next phase of expansion and innovation.

Fellow Co-Founder Ryan Griffiths will transition to Chief Technology Officer (CTO), focusing on Vindico’s technological advancements and overseeing the company's rapidly expanding development team.

Project Manager Dan Keane will step up to become Chief Project Officer (CPO), bringing his expertise to enhance Vindico’s product offerings and customer experience.

Former Head of Partnerships Rhys Perkins will take on the role of Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), spearheading the company’s revenue growth and market expansion strategies.

Vindico team member Rob Earle has also been named Director of Operations.

“This new structure strengthens our leadership team, allowing us to leverage our collective expertise to drive Vindico forward. Each of these leaders brings a unique set of skills and experiences that will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation and expand our offerings beyond Wales and the UK,” said Vindico CEO Jo Polson.

These leadership changes come at a pivotal moment for Vindico. As a company, we’ve experienced significant growth in 2024, expanding our development team by 30% in the year to date. We’re also on track to exceed our ambitious 50% year-on-year growth target, thanks to the launch of our latest technology for venues and events – SWAPP 3.0.

“Vindico’s success is a testament to our team’s dedication and our customers’ trust in our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions that make working lives simpler, better, and more impactful,” adds Vindico CTO Ryan Griffiths.

“We are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of technology and providing our clients with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing and complex digital landscape.”

Looking to the future, Vindico remains committed to its legacy of innovation, empowerment, and excellence. In an era where businesses are overwhelmed with data, apps, programmes, screens, and stimuli, our mission is to provide simpler, better business solutions for everyone. As we buckle up and prepare to enter this new phase of growth, we’re looking forward to building on our strong foundation to continue this next stage of ambitious innovation and expansion into 2025 and beyond.

Vindico is excited to announce the continuation of our partnership with Gloucester Rugby, marking an exciting new chapter for Kingsholm Stadium in 2025.

This collaboration not only strengthens our growing footprint in rugby but also showcases the transformative power of our innovative venue technology, SWAPP 3.0.

Fans of Gloucester Rugby won’t be able to miss Vindico’s distinctive purple branding on match days. But our partnership goes far beyond visuals. Behind the scenes, SWAPP 3.0 will revolutionise how the stadium operates, ensuring match days run smoother than ever for staff, contractors, and fans alike.

Enhancing Kingsholm Stadium

From improving match-day staffing and stewarding to ensuring seamless safety and knowledge transfer, SWAPP 3.0 is designed to streamline operations. The platform empowers management teams with tools to:

• Simplify accreditation and eligibility to work processes

• Optimise worker scheduling and on-site coordination

• Track who is present, where they are, and when – enhancing safety and accountability

• Reduce last-minute staffing issues with robust pre-event registration and opt-in systema

These features not only save time and money but also ensure a premium experience for everyone involved – from players and staff to the fans cheering in the stands.

Click here to see how SWAPP 3.0 is transforming match days for rugby teams across the UK.

A Flagship Showcase for SWAPP 3.0

From 2025, Kingsholm Stadium will also take on an additional role as a flagship venue for SWAPP 3.0 in England. This means other clubs, stadiums, and organisations will have the opportunity to see our game-changing technology in action. It’s a unique chance to witness firsthand how SWAPP 3.0 is redefining venue management, setting a new standard for operational excellence.

“It’s fantastic to be strengthening our partnership with Vindico for 2025,” says Jack Butler, Head of Partnerships at Gloucester Rugby.

“They’ve already got a great track record working with venues and teams across the UK, and we’re looking forward to working with them to deliver a better Kingsholm experience across the board.”

Elevating Rugby Experiences Together

Our partnership with Gloucester Rugby reflects Vindico’s commitment to enhancing the sporting experience at every level. Whether it’s supporting management teams, improving on-site safety, or delivering seamless operations, SWAPP 3.0 is designed to make venues like Kingsholm Stadium the best they can be.

“We’re proud to team up with Gloucester Rugby once again,” adds Rhys Perkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Vindico.  

“We can’t wait to see the positive impact this collaboration will bring to the club, its teams, its contractors, and the fans. Here’s to an exciting 2025 at Kingsholm Stadium!”

To find out more about our SWAPP 3.0 technology – and to see how it's helping venues and teams to elevate experiences – click here.

Vindico is one of just 15 businesses chosen by the UK Sports Economy Trade Mission to attend the global event in a bid to enhance their export potential.  

Yes, really. Vindico will be part of the global event – which takes place in Riyadh from 1 – 4 December 2024 – following the success of our latest venue technology, SWAPP 3.0.

We’ll be joining 14 other UK businesses who’ve been selected to promote and sell their British-made exports to the global football market as part of the 4-day event, which attracts world-renowned organisations from the sector.

But let’s rewind and talk about our SWAPP 3.0 technology for a second.

Officially unveiled in Summer 2024, SWAPP 3.0 builds on the success of Vindico’s original SWAPP platform, which has already been adopted by venues including Principality Stadium, The Arms Park, Sophia Gardens, Vindico Arena, and Parc Y Scarlets, and teams including Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff Rugby, Glamorgan Cricket, and Gloucester Rugby.
Click here to see how SWAPP 3.0 gives teams, venues, and events an edge.

12-months in the making, the new technology – which was developed wholly by our remarkable in-house development teams based in Cardiff and Llanelli – focuses on enhanced safety, automation, and knowledge transfer for stadiums, venues, and sports teams, in line with new and upcoming government guidelines.

Following the success of its launch in the UK, we’ve now set our sights overseas – and we’re on a mission to partner with even more global names at the World Football Summit Asia 2024.

We’ll be heading there as part of the UK Sports Economy Trade Mission. It’s an initiative of the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade, and its aim is to encourage UK businesses to unlock their exporting potential and sell to the world.

“When we launched SWAPP 3.0, we knew our ‘simpler, better’ approach was going to solve the major pain points that management teams of venues and stadiums experience day in, day out,” said Vindico’s Chief Revenue Officer, Rhys Perkins, who will be representing us in Saudi Arabia.

“The response to our venue technology to date by private sector organisations domestically has been overwhelming. To now have our innovative technology’s potential recognised by the UK Government – and to be selected to sell our Welsh technology to the world is a major step forward for us as a business.”

Our participation in the World Football Summit Asia 2024 marks a significant milestone in our bid to digitise and revolutionise venue management technology on a global scale. With the support of the UK Sports Economy Trade Mission, we’re not only cementing the Vindico brand as a leader in venue technology but are also flying the flag for Welsh innovation and British-made excellence.

Vindico CEO Jo Polson has been named Technology Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2024 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards

Dubbed the Grammys of Entrepreneurship, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards has been celebrating the stories of exceptional entrepreneurs for over a decade.

And this year, Jo’s Vindico story is one of them.

It's easy to say that someone lives and breathes what they do, but this is literally the case for Jo.

Whether he’s driving the development team to innovate and iterate new tech, or versions of that tech, or on the hunt for new talent to give Vindico’s ideas an edge – Jo is switched on to tech 24/7.

And it’s helping us bring bright young talent along on the journey with us, while we continue to apply this approach to our own company culture – which is inclusive, immersive, innovative, and encourages autonomous thinking. It’s also a culture that people want to be a part of – whether that’s employees, partners, or clients – and that’s something we don’t take lightly.

We may have “grown up” in business a lot since we launched 10 years ago, but we remain committed to our original mission – to Think Purple.

It means always asking better questions to deliver simpler, better outcomes ­ and it’s what our clients know, love, and trust.

No business is immune to challenges, but our Think Purple mission has helped us grow to the team we are today, and our tech is helping our clients do the same.

So, this accolade – sponsored by de Novo Solutions – recognises Jo’s outstanding entrepreneurial achievements, resilience, and the impact they have made in the tech industry and community. It also gives massive recognition to the hard work of our remarkable team and celebrates the headway we’re making on this incredible journey we’re on.

Or, as Jo puts it:

“I’ve got the best job in the world. I just get to come up with these crazy ideas, but I’ve got an incredible team behind me who can deliver them – and so this recognition is for them.”  

Francesca James, founder of the Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards adds:

"Every year, I’m in awe of the entrepreneurs who come through our programme, and this year is no different. The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards continues to receive thousands of applications annually, reflecting the incredible strength of entrepreneurship across the UK. This year’s winners collectively generate over £3 billion in turnover and employ over 20,000 people. These extraordinary individuals are not only transforming industries but also uplifting communities and inspiring the next generation of business leaders."

Huge thanks to our clients, collaborators, friends, supporters, and wider tech community who’ve been part of this ride so far. Here’s to even greater things in 2025.

How one handy app can transform your entire workforce and visitor management

Managing large teams, venues, and work sites can be challenging – especially when today’s diverse workforce includes everything from full-time employees to gig workers and contractors.

We’ve spoken with large clients across sectors ranging from sport and stadia to construction, civil, and transport, and the pain points that crop up are always the same.

It’s time-consuming, it’s labour intensive, rules and regulations are always changing, it’s tricky to keep information up-to-date, it’s even more challenging to get users to actually communicate, and it’s overall a bit of a hassle.

Sound familiar?

We thought so.

So, we set out to solve the problem. And by “we”, we mean our award-winning development team, based here in Wales.

 We took the feedback from our client and field research and created one handy app that solves all these problems. And we made sure the app is simple to use and encourages better business, too.

Click here to see how.

Our SWAPP 3.0 app is designed to simplify and revolutionise the management of people in your organisation by offering an all-in-one solution that enhances safety, streamlines processes, and optimises productivity.

From pre-event registrations to real-time tracking, SWAPP 3.0 is set to be a game-changer for organisations looking to save time, cut costs, and elevate their operations.

Here's what you need to know.

Streamlining Hiring and Access Control

SWAPP 3.0 was built to address several core areas of workforce management, each one critical for reducing administrative burdens and improving efficiency.

·      Accreditation
Organisations can manage accreditations easily, making sure only properly credentialed individuals have access to their sites. This helps you maintain security and compliance without the hassle of manual tracking.

·      Work Permits
SWAPP 3.0 centralises and streamlines the work permit process, ensuring that each worker has the appropriate documentation to perform their duties legally and safely.

·      Eligibility to Work
With SWAPP 3.0, verifying eligibility is seamless. Managers can quickly review documentation, confirm that workers meet regulatory requirements, and have more confidence in their workforce.

·      Advanced Opt In/Out of Work
The app allows for a simple opt-in or opt-out process, making it easy for employees and contractors to indicate their availability. This feature reduces back-and-forth communications and helps ensure teams are staffed according to your needs. This advanced scheduling and booking capability lets management teams pre-book workers for future projects to simplify staffing and allow for a more organised, transparent workforce structure. You can set schedules well in advance and minimise last-minute changes – and the added stress that comes with it.

·      Easy QR Code Sign In/Out
With a handy QR code that anyone can use, you can easily keep track of who’s clocked in, and for how long, without the need for lengthy or complex processes that make it hard for workers to communicate with you offering precise records that aid in time management and accountability.

Find out more about how this directly relates to stewarding for events here.

Enhanced Coordination and Reduced Costs

We know that last-minute staffing changes or absent workers can lead to operational headaches and increased costs. So, with SWAPP 3.0, we set out to reduce these complications dramatically for you. The platform facilitates team coordination by providing clear visibility over staff schedules, availability, and on-site presence. By enabling a more transparent approach to staffing, the system can also help you cut unnecessary costs associated with overtime, extra hires, or operational delays.

Optimised Compliance and Legal Management

In addition to core workforce and safety management, SWAPP 3.0 offers key features for legal compliance. The app’s streamlined approach to handling eligibility, work permits, and other regulatory aspects ensures that you and your organisation maintains compliance without dedicating excessive time or resources.

An Essential for Today’s Workforce Management

By bringing together accreditation, scheduling, real-time location tracking, and eligibility verification in one handy app, SWAPP 3.0 provides you with the power to manage your workforce like never before. For teams working in dynamic, fast-paced environments, this platform offers a level of coordination and clarity that was once unimaginable. Not only does SWAPP 3.0 reduce administrative burdens, but it also promotes safety, improves compliance, and keeps your operation running smoothly.

SWAPP 3.0 is more than just a tool – it’s fast becoming a vital asset for any organisation that wants to work simpler, smarter, and safer, while saving time and money in the process. You can find out more about how it can help your own organisation and workforce by getting in touch with us here.  

For many of us, the path to a fulfilling career isn’t always straightforward. In fact, it’s often the twists, turns, and unexpected changes that lead to the best opportunities. Meg Rolley, now a software engineer at Vindico, knows this first-hand. Her journey from studying geography at Cardiff University to landing her dream role in tech is a story of passion, persistence, and courage — and a testament that it’s okay to change direction when something doesn’t feel quite right.

Starting Out on a Different Path

When Meg began her university journey in 2018, she was enrolled in geography at Cardiff University. At first, it seemed like the right fit. But as she got deeper into the coursework, something didn’t quite click. Many of us have experienced that gut feeling when something feels off, and for Meg, this realisation came with a sense of urgency to pursue a path that would truly engage her.

Rather than sticking it out and ignoring her doubts, Meg made a bold move: she decided to switch to Applied Software Engineering after her first year.

“It felt like a huge decision at the time,” she recalls, “but it turned out to be a game-changer. suddenly I was working on real projects with actual clients, solving genuine problems rather than just hitting the books.”

These hands-on experiences would solidify Meg’s love for software development.

Diving Deeper into Software Engineering

As Meg settled into her new course, she seized every opportunity to gain practical experience. In her second year, she joined a research project at Cardiff University focused on developing software to detect “phubbing” (that all-too-common habit of ignoring others in favour of a smartphone).

“We’ve all been guilty of it!” admits Meg.

“That project gave me the opportunity create and test the software myself, which was a brilliant experience.”

At the time, she was set on pursuing a PhD, envisioning a future of research, writing, and presenting papers at conferences. 

“Funny how plans change, right?” says Meg.

As she explored new facets of software engineering, she found that her interests were steering her in new directions.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Coders

Meg’s journey wasn’t only about her personal growth; she was also giving back along the way. During her studies, she became a STEM ambassador, visiting primary schools to teach children about computing using fun tools like Game Maker Studio and Scratch. She even ran online code clubs, helping young students stay engaged and curious about tech during the pandemic.

Later, Meg took her teaching skills a step further, teaching Java basics to postgraduate students.

“Being on the other side of the classroom and sharing what I'd learned along the way really helped cement my own understanding of these concepts,” says Meg.

Gaining Real-World Experience

As her final year approached, Meg managed to balance her studies with a part-time role at a South Wales startup. Working in the fast-paced startup environment gave her invaluable insights, forcing her to think on her feet and adapt to new challenges.

“Not going to lie - balancing my final year studies with work was challenging, but it was worth every minute,” adds Meg.

By the time she graduated with a First Class Honours in June 2022, Meg had already gained a level of experience and confidence that would shape her career.

Click here to see how other members of the Vindico team have taken alternative career paths into software development and coding.

Joining Vindico and Embracing New Opportunities

Meg joined Vindico’s award-winning development team in October 2023, where the diverse projects and collaborative team culture immediately appealed to her.

“What really drew me to Vindico? They’re doing all sorts of different projects, and their team is full of different perspectives and skills.

“I love how they're always ready to tackle new tech and try different tools as new projects come in. It's not just about building my skills - it's about doing it in a way that's actually exciting and keeps me on my toes in this constantly changing tech world. Every day brings something different, and that's exactly what I was looking for in my career.”

The Big Takeaway: Embrace the Journey

Meg’s path from geography student to software engineer wasn’t always smooth, but every twist and turn taught her something valuable.

“Looking back, my path's been pretty winding - from geography to coding, from teaching kids to building software, from startup life to where I am now. But that's what makes it interesting, right?” says Meg.

Her story is a reminder that it’s okay to pivot when something doesn’t feel right. The most fulfilling careers aren’t always straightforward; they’re built on curiosity, courage, and a willingness to pursue what excites you.

Or, as Meg puts it:
 
“Sometimes you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and go after what really gets you excited. Do what feels right for you, and chase after whatever lights that fire in your belly. After all, if you’re going to spend most of your life working, it might as well be doing something that gets you jumping out of bed in the morning.

“That journey from uncertain first-year to where I am now wasn't always smooth sailing, but each twist and turn taught me something valuable. And honestly? I wouldn't change it for the world.”

For anyone questioning their career path or feeling uncertain about the future, Meg’s journey shows that it’s never too late to pivot and pursue what truly fulfils you. Her advice? Embrace the journey, take risks, and don’t be afraid to follow your passion — even if it means stepping into the unknown.

You can also find out about the latest tech career opportunities with Vindico by clicking here.