From the CEO’s Desk: Reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to 2026

As 2025 draws to a close, we caught up with acQuire’s CEO, Alison Atkins, to talk about the year’s highlights, her incredible 25-year journey with the company, and what’s on the horizon for 2026.

Q: Reflecting on 2025, what stands out as the biggest highlight for acQuire this year?

Alison: It’s hard to pick just one, but the launch of our new web-based and hosted GIM solution in June, called GIM Essentials, was a major milestone. This has been three years in the making. We saw a gap in the market – a segment of mining companies that need a strong GIM solution but didn’t need the full capabilities of an enterprise product like GIM Suite. So, we built something tailored for them. It’s early days, but we already have customers onboard and plenty of interest globally. For me, this is exciting because it shows how we’re listening to the market and innovating to meet real needs. It’s about giving customers more choice and creating an alternative for an underserved segment.

Q: What product innovations or enhancements were delivered in 2025, and how have they impacted our customers?

Alison: One thing I’m proud about acQuire is the cadence we’ve established for product releases and enhancements. This year, every product under our umbrella – whether built by us or acquired – has released product updates. We’ve continued to focus on cybersecurity and compliance because customers need absolute confidence in their data security. Alongside that, we’ve added new capabilities across our products built for geoscientific, environmental and social performance data management. A lot of these enhancements were added based on customer feedback and are designed to make data management more efficient and intuitive across our products. It’s not about one big feature; for us, it’s about continuous improvement. We listen to customers and make sure our solutions stay relevant. That ongoing evolution is what really benefits our customers.

Q: You’ve reached an incredible personal milestone of 25 years with acQuire. What does this achievement mean to you, and what have been the most memorable moments along the way?

Alison: Honestly, if you’d told me when I joined that I’d still be here 25 years later, I wouldn’t have believed you! Coming from the mining industry with a geological background, moving every few years was normal. acQuire has given me opportunities to grow, from technical services to leadership roles and now as the CEO. I’ve learned so much, from leading a business through to acquisitions and working with peer companies under Constellation Software Inc.

I can’t really think of any one memorable moment. There have been many, and a lot of it’s to do with the people in the acQuire network. You forge lifetime friendships, and even when people move on from acQuire, those relationships remain strong. That sense of community is something I’m most proud of. We build great software, but it’s the environment we’ve built at acQuire that has made my time here special.

Q: From your perspective, how has acQuire evolved over the years, and what sets us apart in the mining technology space today?

Alison: It’s been quite a journey. In the early years, like any technology company, our focus was on building up a product that solved a very specific problem for our customers. Once GIM Suite was established, we started asking, “What’s next?” That led us to evolve the solution with web and mobile capabilities and explore new products and acquisitions.

What really sets us apart is our long-term, strategic approach. We’re constantly looking forward, and we’re not reactive. Every decision, whether it’s defining product roadmaps, researching new capabilities, or acquiring products, is deliberate and needs to be sustainable. We make sure there’s a genuine need in the market and that what we deliver will stand the test of time and provide stability in rapidly changing environments.

This approach also creates opportunities for our people. Growth isn’t just about products; it’s about giving our teams the chance to work across different solutions, collaborate with sister companies, and engage with new markets. We never lose sight of our customers, but we also never forget that we’re a software company. Building great solutions is at the heart of what we do, and being profitable means we can keep investing in innovation and growth. That balance of strategic focus, sustainability, and customer commitment, is what makes acQuire unique.

Q: Looking ahead to 2026, what are you most excited about and the opportunities you see for our customers and the industry?

Alison: Next year is a really significant milestone for us – we’re celebrating 30 years! That’s an amazing milestone and to have been here for a large percentage of that time and see what we’ve achieved in the 30 years is quite exciting.

When I joined 25 years ago, we had fewer than 20 employees in one office in Perth. Now we’re global, and by next year we’ll have around 160 people. That growth is something we’re all proud of.

With this milestone, we’ve been looking at redefining our company identity. The company has evolved, our solutions have evolved, and we’re reflecting who we are and where we’re heading.

We’ll also be celebrating in a big way. There’ll be events across different regions with employees, customers, partners and alumni. It’s about recognising what we’ve all achieved while looking forward to the future.

There will continue to be organisational changes in acQuire to support our continued growth and this brings new opportunities for our people. We’re exploring new markets and continuing to evolve our existing solutions. It’s all about positive change and being forward-looking, all whilst staying true to our commitment to customers and partners. So, watch this space – 2026 is going to be exciting!

2025 has been a year of growth, innovation, and milestones. As we step into 2026, we’re excited to celebrate our history and embrace the future with fresh energy and ambition. Thank you to our customers, partners, and team for being part of this journey!