Xero, the global small business platform, today announces the appointment of Chris O’Neill to the newly created role of Chief Growth Officer, joining Xero’s global executive leadership team.

Reporting to Xero CEO Steve Vamos, Chris will be responsible for the strategic direction and operational performance within Xero’s newly-created Applications & Services division, which represents part of Xero’s small business platform. The Applications & Services division comprises a number of Xero’s existing businesses, including recent acquisitions that are an increasing area of growth and strategic significance for Xero. The Applications & Services division includes Financial Services, Payroll, Planday and the Ecosystem/Xero App Store. Chris will also lead the strategic development of Xero in the Americas - including US and Canada - working closely with Xero President Americas, Tony Ward.

CEO Steve Vamos commented: “The global cloud-based small business applications software market is still in a relatively early stage of development and represents a huge opportunity. Chris brings extensive experience to help further develop and grow a number of exciting business areas within Xero.”

“I look forward to Chris helping us further scale Xero’s business in the US and Canada, building on our go to market and product efforts to date; through partnerships, acquisitions, and further development of our product capabilities to meet the needs of customers and partners.”

Chris joins Xero having served as a senior executive, board member and investor for a number of global technology companies, including Google and Evernote. He also has deep leadership experience in global and North American consumer and enterprise markets.

Xero President Americas Tony Ward will continue to lead Xero in the Americas, reporting to Chris, as well as being a key member of the global customer leadership team led by Chief Customer Officer Rachael Powell who’s responsible for the global sales and marketing functions.

Chris will be based in San Francisco, and started with Xero on 4 April 2022.