{
    "title": "Deputy founders Ashik Ahmed and Steve Shelley return as Interim Co-CEOs.",
    "modified_at": "2026-11-13 12:00:05",
    "published_at": "2026-11-13 12:00:00",
    "url": "https://news.deputy.com/deputy-founders-ashik-ahmed-and-steve-shelley-return-as-interim-co-ceos-7tbr6f",
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    "body": "<h4 id=\"founders-return-to-build-on-the-successful-transformation-led-by-outgoing-ceo-silvija-martincevic\" ><em><strong>Founders return to build on the successful transformation led by outgoing CEO Silvija Martincevic.</strong></em></h4><hr /><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>SYDNEY, 13 November 2026 -</strong> Deputy today announced that co-founders Ashik Ahmed and Steve Shelley will return as interim Co-CEOs, effective today. Outgoing CEO Silvija Martincevic will remain with Deputy until <strong>20 November</strong> to support an orderly handover to the founders, and will remain available to them to assist with the transition until <strong>1 March 2027.</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The leadership transition follows nearly four years of transformation under Martincevic. During her tenure, Deputy expanded from a workforce management solution into a broader AI powered platform for shift-based businesses, adding capabilities across scheduling, time and attendance, HR, payroll, analytics, messaging and AI. The company also strengthened its global operating foundations and established a sustainable financial position.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&quot;Deputy today is a fundamentally stronger and more capable business than it was just a few years ago. Silvija has played an instrumental role in that transformation, helping us expand our vision, accelerate innovation and build the financial stability needed for long-term success. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank her for her tremendous contributions and leadership,&quot; said Shelley, Deputy Chair and co-founder.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&ldquo;When Ashik and I founded Deputy, we wanted to make work better for shift workers and the businesses that employ them,&rdquo; continued Shelley. &ldquo;That mission still guides us. We&rsquo;re returning to a stronger business, and we&rsquo;re excited to work closely with our teams and customers as Deputy continues to grow.&rdquo;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Ahmed said the company&rsquo;s technology and customer foundation create new opportunities to improve hourly work.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&ldquo;Deputy began with a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing small businesses and their teams,&rdquo; said Ahmed. &ldquo;AI is creating new ways to address those challenges. I&rsquo;m looking forward to working with our teams and customers to build products that make a meaningful difference in people&rsquo;s working lives.&rdquo;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&ldquo;Leading Deputy through this period of transformation has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,&rdquo; said Martincevic. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m proud of what our team has accomplished and have great confidence in Deputy&rsquo;s people, products and future.&rdquo;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Under the leadership structure announced today, Ahmed will oversee Product, Research &amp; Development along with Customer Service. Shelley will lead Go to Market while continuing to serve as Chair of the Board. The Co-CEOs will jointly oversee Finance, Legal and other shared corporate functions, and share accountability for Deputy&rsquo;s strategy, culture and overall performance.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The interim designation reflects the Board&rsquo;s ongoing evaluation of the leadership structure best suited to Deputy&rsquo;s needs as the business evolves. Roles and responsibilities may change over time.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">As Deputy marks its 18th year, the company remains focused on improving the world of work, one shift at a time.</p><hr /><h4 id=\"about-deputy\" ><strong>About Deputy</strong></h4><p style=\"text-align: left\">Deputy is the AI people platform built specifically for shift work. Trusted by nearly 400,000 workplaces in more than 100 countries, Deputy brings together AI-powered scheduling, compliance automation, accurate payroll and mobile-first communication to help businesses run more efficiently and teams feel empowered. Discover more at www.deputy.com.</p><hr /><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-b1068a84-86b6-4888-98fe-9f9de74f5b91\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/f983ea4f-6fad-4210-a844-926fd1c882f1/-/crop/2170x2170/0,0/-/preview/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Mat Beeche\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Mat Beeche</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Senior Director, Global Communications &amp; Public Affairs, Deputy</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:mbeeche@deputy.com\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"mbeeche@deputy.com\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>mbeeche@deputy.com</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
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        {
            "name": "Mat Beeche",
            "company": "Deputy",
            "description": "Senior Director, Global Communications & Public Affairs",
            "email": "mbeeche@deputy.com",
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        "first_name": "Mat",
        "last_name": "Beeche"
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