Backbase names Didier Van der Coelden CFO for AI push
Backbase has appointed Didier Van der Coelden as chief financial officer as the banking software group expands its AI-focused platform in international markets.
Van der Coelden brings more than 20 years of finance leadership experience across fintech, software and professional services. He has held CFO and executive roles at Capco, NGDATA and MEDIAGENIX, and has worked in Europe, the US and Asia.
The appointment comes as Backbase seeks tighter financial oversight alongside continued growth. It built its business before taking external private equity funding in 2022, having reached €200m in annual recurring revenue before that round, which valued the company at €2.5bn.
Backbase supplies software to banks across retail, commercial and wealth segments, and says more than 150 financial institutions use its platform.
Finance leadership
Based in Belgium, Van der Coelden will lead the finance function and work across regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Atlanta and Singapore, as well as offices in London, Sydney, Toronto, Dubai, Kraków, Cardiff, Hyderabad and Mexico City.
His remit covers financial strategy and operations across the group's international footprint. He will also work with product, sales and operations teams to assess the financial impact of key decisions.
Chief Executive Jouk Pleiter said the appointment fits the company's current priorities as it broadens its presence. "Didier brings precisely the experience Backbase needs right now. He has built finance functions that drive growth, not just track it. As we expand our platform and strengthen our global presence, having a CFO who can balance entrepreneurial instinct with the financial discipline to sustain growth is key to our next phase," Pleiter said.
Van der Coelden has worked in businesses that have gone through acquisitions and international expansion. Backbase said his background includes scaling finance teams through periods of significant growth and M&A.
Platform focus
Backbase positions its product as an AI-powered banking platform, selling software that supports digital servicing and sales journeys for banks.
It says banks use the platform across multiple lines of business, including retail, SME and commercial banking, as well as private banking and wealth management.
As banks increase technology spend on customer-facing channels and internal servicing tools, vendors have sought to differentiate through AI features and data integration. Backbase has centred its latest messaging on using AI in day-to-day banking workflows.
Leadership build-out
Backbase says it has expanded its leadership team across technology, people and commercial functions over the past year, linking the changes to preparations for its next phase of development.
The privately held company was founded in Amsterdam in 2003 and now operates from regional hubs in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
Van der Coelden pointed to Backbase's culture and focus on AI adoption in banking. "What drew me to Backbase was its entrepreneurial culture and clear vision for the future of banking. The company's ambition to empower banks to translate AI into tangible real-world impact, together with the strength of its management team and its international character, makes this a compelling opportunity. Backbase is shaping the way banks work and operate, and I'm excited to be part of that journey," he said.
He will join the executive team as Backbase continues to sell its platform to financial institutions and invest in new product development tied to AI-driven banking operations.