Hannah Birch to succeed Des Lekerman as CEO at Kocho

With vast leadership experience from a distinguished career in the technology sector, Birch succeeds co-founder Des Lekerman, who steps aside after a decade of transformative leadership but will remain on the board as a strategic advisor.

Richard Pugh, Kocho Board Member and BGF Investor Director, said:

"We’re delighted to welcome Hannah Birch as Kocho’s new CEO. Under Des Lekerman’s impressive leadership, Kocho has become a UK leader in Identity and Cyber Security and a significant Microsoft partner.

"Des has driven consistent growth and successfully led four acquisitions, cementing Kocho’s position as an industry leader. As we enter our next phase of growth, Hannah’s expertise will propel Kocho to new heights. We look forward to continuing Kocho’s success story under her leadership."

Driving Kocho’s next chapter

Founded in 2002, Kocho has grown into a trusted partner for organisations navigating the complexities of cybersecurity, identity management, and digital transformation. The leadership change marks a pivotal moment in Kocho’s evolution, positioning the company to seize new opportunities and solidify its market leadership.

Reflecting on his decision to step aside, Lekerman said: "Hannah’s leadership expertise, industry insight, and entrepreneurial vision make her the ideal choice to lead Kocho into its next chapter.

Her extensive experience in managing and integrating acquisitions, coupled with her strong background in digital transformation and managed services offer the perfect ingredients to drive the company through the next phase of growth."

Lekerman leaves a legacy of success, having led Kocho through sustained growth and transformation while building its reputation for innovation, excellence and dependability.

Hannah Birch: A proven leader

Birch, a seasoned technology leader, brings a wealth of expertise and leadership gained from senior roles at a variety of renowned organisations. This includes 11 years at Accenture, where she served on the UK&I Technology Board, gaining broad expertise across industries and technologies.

Career highlights include:

Integrated four acquisitions and drove innovation as Group MD at Node4.

Achieved revenue growth and managed cross-border integrations at Ensono.

Led global client technology transformations across industries as MD at Accenture.

Created business units following new industry technology trends at both Fujitsu and Computacenter.

Sharing her vision for Kocho, she commented: "It’s a privilege to succeed Des and build on the strong foundation he’s established. Kocho is at the forefront of cybersecurity and digital transformation, and I’m excited to work with such a talented team.

"Together, we’ll continue delivering innovative solutions that address our clients’ challenges in areas like threat protection, identity management, and secure cloud infrastructures."

Appointing a CEO with such deep experience and visionary leadership reflects Kocho’s commitment to driving growth and cementing its place as a global leader in the technology sector.