CEO | Axiom Partners
Executive Chairman | Circle8
As the founder and CEO of Axiom Partners & Executive Chairman of Circle8, Guus Franke has a proven track record of scaling businesses. He employs a hands-on ‘buy and build’ strategy, with his private investment firm Axiom Partners, acquiring companies in the technology and IT services sectors. He has led major growth initiatives, including the acquisition of IT staffing firm Seven Stars and the transformation of De Staffing Groep into the market leader in IT staffing, now known as Circle8. Starting from zero in 2021, the company is now active in 7 countries with over €1.4 billion under management.
As a modern investor, Guus regards the Chief Information Officer as an essential partner in securing a company’s long-term success. From his viewpoint, a business’s capacity to adapt and endure market shifts—its resilience—is directly connected to the strength and foresight of its technology leadership.
Guus views future-proofing a company as building a strong digital foundation. He considers the CIO the key architect of this resilience, with their vision playing a vital role in investment decisions that focus on creating long-term value.