SmartSearch Announces Key Leadership Appointments: Collette Smith as Chief Customer Officer and Julie Green as Director of Partner & Channel Strategy

SmartSearch, the UK's leading provider of electronic identity verification and AML solutions, is delighted to announce two pivotal leadership changes designed to grow and enhance key operational areas. Collette Smith is appointed as Chief Customer Officer, and Julie Green takes on the role of Director of Partner & Channel Strategy. 

These changes are designed to enable SmartSearch to execute effectively against its current strategic plans and mission to build innovative solutions that help customers to comply with regulations, fight financial crime and grow their businesses with confidence.   

Collette will lead the Customer Success arm of the business, including Business Support Services, driving further enhancement of the SmartSearch client experience. Collette's extensive experience and deep understanding of customer advocacy and SmartSearch make her an ideal leader to add further value to our 7,000 plus customers from regulated industries such as financial services, property, legal and accountancy. 

Collette's position of Chief Customer Officer continues a remarkable journey within SmartSearch, from Senior Customer Support Specialist in 2013, through to Client Services Director, Chief Operating Officer and latterly Chief Transformation Officer. In 2023, her exceptional contributions were nationally recognised when she was named Technology Businesswoman of the Year at the prestigious Great British Businesswoman Awards. This national accolade celebrated Collette’s meteoric rise to the SmartSearch boardroom, a significant milestone as she became both the first female and its youngest member. The judging panel specifically lauded her impactful approach to leadership, her unwavering passion for customer service, and her steadfast commitment to mentoring staff and championing diversity within the technology sector. 

Her dedication to empowering clients and her proven track record in fostering strong customer relationships perfectly align with SmartSearch's foundational mission. 

Building on this momentum, Julie Green takes on the dynamic and pivotal role of Director of Partner & Channel Strategy, a position set to supercharge our collaborative efforts and industry impact. 

In this critical position, Julie will be responsible for defining and implementing SmartSearch's partnership strategy. Working closely with Partnerships Director Kerry Cleary, this role will enable Julie to focus on strengthening current partnerships and opening up new partnership opportunities to the business, to drive mutual success.  

Julie brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to this strategic role. In over six years at SmartSearch, Julie has risen through the ranks, starting as Client Services Manager and progressing through various leadership roles to build a broad expertise spanning operations, innovation, and people leadership. This diverse background, combined with her previous industry experience in successfully growing partner relationships and revenues, positions her perfectly to drive this key growth pillar for SmartSearch. 

Both Collette’s and Julie’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening SmartSearch's strategic direction, enhancing our customer relationships, and expanding our market footprint, ensuring our continued leadership and innovation within digital compliance solutions. 

Everyone at SmartSearch wishes them both well in their new positions!