ArtiCAD founders Richard Turner and Theresa Turner have announced their retirement from the business, which comes more than 30 years after the software company was first established.
Following their departure, the company will now be led by Brandon Kwesiga, who joined the company in May this year as managing director. ArtiCAD says his appointment was carefully planned to ensure a seamless transition.
Richard and Theresa, the company’s managing director and marketing & HR director, respectively, were at the helm of the company as it went from a small software start-up business in 1992 to become a trusted international brand.
Formerly a computer games entrepreneur, Richard Turner partnered with a KBB specialist in the late 1980s, after spotting what the company called “a challenge and an opportunity”, to create software to manage projects and reduce costly remedial work.
Richard’s business partner and wife, Theresa Turner, has also been instrumental in helping ArtiCAD grow into the business it is today. Over more than 33 years, she developed the company’s marketing function from scratch, established its Supplier Partnership Programme, and laid the foundations for several of ArtiCAD’s teams, including its Customer Support Team.
According to ArtiCAD, since it was first created, its platform has “revolutionised how designers sold kitchens”, and has attracted over 2,000 users in just two years, with a presence in markets such as South Africa, Ireland, Australia and the US.
“It’s been an incredible journey, thanks to great colleagues, great customers and ever-changing industry challenges,” Richard Turner said. “Harnessing the latest technology innovations and developing simple, practical and affordable solutions has been a real pleasure. Riding the storms of financial recessions and a world pandemic were less of a pleasure but I’m really proud of our resilience and what we’ve achieved.”
Theresa Turner also added: “As we step away, our overwhelming emotions are of profound gratitude and pride in what ArtiCAD has achieved. I feel truly honoured to have worked alongside so many super-talented colleagues (past and present) – who have made building the business, with its many challenges, an absolute pleasure! There are too many customers, suppliers and industry supporters to thank in just a few sentences.”
Meanwhile, incoming managing director Kwesiga was most recently director of sales and marketing at Anthill, a process management and automation platform. He is said to have a track record of driving growth and innovation, and brings a blend of commercial acumen, product insight, and customer experience expertise.
ArtiCAD says his arrival coincides with “a significant shift” in the KBB software landscape, as several major brands have consolidated in recent years, which it says has made software solutions “more expensive, support services outsourced, and decision-making increasingly removed from the day-to-day realities of KBB professionals.”
Discussing his appointment, Brandon Kwesiga said: “I’m genuinely excited to be part of a company with such an incredible legacy, one built on innovation, integrity, and a deep commitment to excellence. It’s an honour to carry that legacy forward as we open ArtiCAD’s next chapter, continuing to deliver trusted, cost-effective solutions and local support that empower our customers to thrive.”
