SnapDragon names Craneware co-founder as chairman 

Online brand protection company SnapDragon has named a co-founder of one of Scotland’s unicorns as its chairman.

Gordon Craig, who co-founded Craneware with Keith Neilson in 1999, brings extensive international experience, having served as the healthcare firm’s chief technology officer for 16 years. Craneware produces the medical billing software used by nearly a third of registered hospitals in the United States. The company joined the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange in 2007, and is currently valued at just over $1bn.

SnapDragon will draw on Mr Craig’s international expertise as it continues its mission to expand, it said in a statement.

The firm works with online marketplaces, such as Amazon, Alibaba and eBay, to remove infringing products which harm clients’ reputations and revenues and can be dangerous to customers.

Rachel Jones, founder and chief executive, said: “Bringing Gordon on board is a real coup for us. The learning opportunities that his involvement presents are considerable and we’re all absolutely up for the challenge and the growth. Gordon’s work in America as president of Craneware’s US operations will be especially useful as we continue to build the SnapDragon team internationally.”

Craig commented: “Like so many of the best technology companies, SnapDragon was born when an entrepreneur spotted a gap in the market. Rachel defended her own intellectual property against online pirates and realised that she could help other small businesses to do the same, assembling a team of talented linguists and harnessing smart technology.

“SnapDragon is already working with some of the biggest names in the business – from Amazon and eBay through to China’s Alibaba – and so it’s an exciting time for me to be taking a seat in the boardroom as chairman. I’m looking forward to working with the team to accelerate the company’s growth and to share my expertise, especially in the American market.”

Jones founded SnapDragon in 2015 after successfully fighting off fake versions of her award-winning child’s high chair, Totseat. Its team has grown to 26, representing 13 nationalities and speaking 17 languages. The company secured a six-figure investment from Mercia Fund Management in 2017.

Clients include the Harris Tweed Authority, fancy dress outfit supplier MorphCostumes, fashion brand Johnstons of Elgin, and glassmaker Glencairn.

Craig is also the chairman of wearable health technology company Snap40, having invested in the business last year as part of a £6m seed funding round alongside Skyscanner founder Gareth Williams and Qasar Younis, founder of feedback platform TalkBin.