The Challenge:
Experian, a global leader in data and analytics, sought a Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) to drive the company’s growth in the DACH region. The role was designed to lead Experian’s commercial strategy, build high-performing teams, and oversee the development of key client relationships in one of their most competitive markets. The ideal candidate needed deep expertise in commercial operations, a proven track record of driving sales, and the leadership skills to navigate a diverse set of verticals, including data, SaaS, financial services, and fintech.
The Approach:
Innovex was tasked with identifying a CCO who could lead Experian’s commercial strategy and contribute to the company’s long-term goals in DACH. To ensure the success of the search, we mapped key markets—including data, SaaS, financial services, and fintech—to find candidates who were both strategically aligned and familiar with the dynamics of these sectors in the region.
The search was rigorous, involving a detailed and highly targeted approach. Over the course of four weeks, we:
- Engaged with 93 candidates in total, ensuring that we reached out to top professionals across the relevant sectors.
- 60 candidates were engaged, providing a strong pool of highly qualified individuals. This yielded an engagement rate of 64.5%, highlighting the level of interest in the role and the effectiveness of our outreach strategy.
- A longlist of 10 candidates was carefully compiled, each possessing the experience and skill set needed to excel in the CCO role.
- From the longlist, we narrowed it down to a shortlist of 5 candidates, with 3 of those being female—demonstrating our commitment to diversity and inclusion in executive leadership roles.
The shortlist was delivered within the agreed timeline of 4 weeks, a key factor that demonstrated our ability to efficiently identify and engage with top talent while ensuring a thorough assessment of each candidate.
The Solution:
Among the shortlisted candidates, Andrea Trapp stood out as the ideal fit for the CCO role at Experian DACH. With over 25 years of experience in B2B SaaS, digital transformation, and commercial leadership, Andrea had successfully led strategic sales initiatives and managed large-scale commercial operations across multiple regions. Her deep knowledge of the DACH market, combined with her track record of scaling businesses and driving transformation, made her the perfect choice for the position.
Andrea’s expertise in navigating complex sales cycles, managing cross-functional teams, and aligning commercial strategies with long-term business objectives ensured that she could effectively contribute to Experian’s growth in DACH.
The Placement:
Andrea officially joined Experian as the new CCO for the DACH region on 15 July 2025. As she integrates into her role, Andrea’s immediate focus will be on strengthening the commercial strategy, enhancing client relationships, building high-performing teams, and optimising sales performance across the region. Her extensive leadership experience will enable her to implement strategic initiatives that align with Experian’s broader business goals.
The Outcome:
While Andrea is still in the early stages of her tenure at Experian, her goals are clearly defined:
- Strengthening the Commercial Strategy: Leading the development of Experian’s commercial strategy for the DACH region, with a focus on driving growth and expanding the company’s presence in key industries.
- Enhancing Client Relationships: Fostering strong, long-term relationships with key clients to secure ongoing business and revenue streams.
- Building High-Performing Teams: Leading the commercial teams in the region, ensuring alignment with Experian’s goals and creating a culture of high performance.
- Optimising Sales Performance: Streamlining sales processes and implementing strategies to improve the team’s efficiency and effectiveness in driving revenue.
Andrea’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of Experian’s commercial operations in the DACH region. Innovex’s ability to identify, engage, and place a candidate like Andrea—someone with the right mix of experience, strategic vision, and leadership capability—has provided Experian with the right leadership to continue its expansion and growth in the region.
