Cloud-based booking company Timely is expanding its service into Australia, hiring business development managers and setting up a Melbourne office. It’s also appointed two seasoned digital directors to its board.
“We have experienced solid growth over the last year with over 1,500 businesses now using the Timely platform” said Timely chief executive Ryan Baker.
“With Australia being our number one market, putting people on the ground there should further accelerate this growth and take advantage of the market gaps we see over there.”
The two new directors are former Trade Me chief operating officer Mike “MOD” O’Donnell and Southgate Labs founder Rowan Simpson, who join the company’s founders on the board, Ryan Baker and Andrew Schofield.
O’Donnell first met Timely’s founders in 2009 when Trade Me acquired their previous e-commerce business www.bookit.co.nz. O’Donnell is also a director of Tourism New Zealand and Serato, and a digital columnist.
Simpson was one of the original founders of Trade Me, has held senior roles at Xero and is Chairman of Vend. Simpson invested in Timely in 2013 and since that time has seen the company grow by over 500%.
Following the company’s recent $1.3m funding, led by Punakaiki Fund, CEO Ryan Baker explains that the timing was right to expand the company’s board.
“We’re at a stage now where the company is in a growth rhythm. It’s awesome to be able to source senior digital directors with real world experience like Rowan and MOD. Being able to draw on their experiences and knowledge as we continue to grow Timely will be invaluable”.
Launched in late 2012, Timely’s cloud-based booking platform is used by over 1,500 businesses in 45 countries ranging from clinics and salons to personal trainers and tradespeople. The company’s team of 17 are located in Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland and London.