WISeKey Announces Retirement of Peter
Ward as Chief Financial Officer;
Appoints John O’Hara as its New Chief
Financial Officer
Geneva, Switzerland – June 14, 2024 – Ad-Hoc
announcement pursuant to Art. 53 SIX Listing Rules - WISeKey
International Holding Ltd. (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a
global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and Internet of
Things (IoT), today announced the retirement of Peter Ward as its
Chief Financial Officer, effective June 30, 2024. The Company
appoints John O’Hara as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective
July 1, 2024.
Following his retirement, Mr. Ward will remain a
member of the Board of Directors of WISeKey. Mr. Ward joined the
Company in 2008 and has served as its Chief Financial Officer since
2015.
Mr. O’Hara, who currently serves as the CFO of
SEALSQ Corp. (“SEALSQ”, NASDAQ: LAES), a subsidiary of the Company,
has been part of the WISeKey team since 2018, serving as
International Financial Controller. During his tenure, he
successfully spearheaded the spin-off and subsequent listing of
SEALSQ on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
Mr. O’Hara has an extensive expertise in US
GAAP, IFRS, and Swiss GAAP, underpinned by two decades of
experience with multinational enterprises, listed companies,
partnerships, and NGOs. He is a distinguished finance professional
known for his proficiency in Financial Control, Compliance, and
Risk Management within the Professional Services and Cybersecurity
industries. His career is marked by a proven track record of
exceptional leadership and management across various sectors.
Prior to joining WISeKey, Mr. O’Hara served as
the Global Financial Controller for Jesuit Worldwide Learning and
as Finance Director at Deloitte, where he led the strategic and
operational finance functions of the Tax Service Line. Earlier in
his career, at Marsh & McLennan Companies, he managed finance
teams of over seventy individuals, driving the finance
transformation agenda for the UK Controllership function and
enhancing financial controls across multiple regions.
Carlos Moreira, CEO of WISeKey, commented, “As
we celebrate a significant chapter in WISeKey's journey, I want to
extend my heartfelt gratitude to Peter as he retires after almost
two decades of exceptional service. Peter’s leadership and
financial stewardship have been instrumental in guiding our company
through many milestones. Peter’s involvement has been crucial
during our long journey, from our pioneering steps in deploying
digital identity ecosystems, to the groundbreaking launch of the
first digital certification of a luxury watch, then the integration
of blockchain and AI into our security solutions, to a global
leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT… through the
successful completion of acquisitions and financings. As we
continue to explore new frontiers, including the exciting
developments in the Space IoT era and digital art tokenization, his
contributions have laid a solid foundation for future
successes.”
Mr. Moreira added, “Peter’s expertise was also
vital during the significant milestones of listing WISeKey on both
the Swiss SIX exchange and Nasdaq, achievements that have greatly
enhanced our global visibility. I thank Peter for his tireless
dedication and for being an integral part of WISeKey's legacy and
future. We wish him the very best in retirement.”
Mr. Moreira remarked, “John's extensive
experience in implementing robust financial policies and procedures
significantly improved business performance at WISeKey over the
years. His ability to identify and implement numerous cost-saving
initiatives is expected to usher in a new era of financial
excellence for WISeKey. I look forward to continuing our
collaboration to foster growth and sustainability.”
About WISeKEY:
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq:
WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and
IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding
company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to
specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries
include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on
semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii)
WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure
authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii)
WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite
communication, specifically for IoT applications, and (iv) WISe.ART
Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the
WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions.
Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the
internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and
expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the
comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity
ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and
IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across
various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the
Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate
valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive
equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey
cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication
and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The
WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions
between objects and people.
For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its
subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.
Press and Investor Contacts:
WISeKey International Holding Ltd Company
Contact: Carlos MoreiraChairman & CEOTel: +41 22 594
3000info@wisekey.com |
WISeKey Investor Relations (US) The Equity
Group Inc.Lena CatiTel: +1 212 836-9611 / lcati@equityny.comKatie
MurphyTel: +1 212 836-9612 / kmurphy@equityny.com |
Disclaimer:This communication
expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements
concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such
statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial
condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International
Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is
providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake
to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This press release does not constitute an offer
to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and
it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of
the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FInSa's predecessor
legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA.
Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its
securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing
contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or
representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.
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