Mark Sweeny

Mark Sweeny is a Welsh technology entrepreneur, investor and business leader. He is a serial entrepreneur and multi-award-winning Founder and Group Chief Executive of de Novo Solutions, a specialist Welsh technology company based in Langstone, Newport, South Wales, focused upon AI and Digital transformation using Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow. In September 2026, Sweeny transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman as the company entered its next stage of growth, with experienced technology leader Lynette Slater appointed as Chief Executive.

Sweeny, a serial entrepreneur and part of BusinessCloud's 2026 Founder 250 list, has grown de Novo Solutions to a team of 150 and into the fastest-growing tech firm in Wales. De Novo has revenues of £12.5m, employs 136 people, and is growing 20% year on year, with an extensive portfolio of both public and private sector clients. In 2026, de Novo was awarded the prestigious St David Award by the Welsh Government for its contribution to the Welsh economy.

Sweeny previously sold Certus Solutions to Accenture. He founded Certus Solutions, one of the UK's leading Oracle Cloud consultancies, which was acquired by Accenture in 2018. Before de Novo, he created Certus Solutions in 2011, the company that were the original pioneers of Oracle SaaS Cloud applications in the UK and Ireland. Sweeny attended Strathclyde Graduate Business School.

Mark left school with minimal academic qualifications and began his working life at McDonald's before joining Lloyds Bank in data processing, spending eight years studying at night school while working full-time. He won the Vistage UK Leadership of the Year award at the 2026 awards and was also honoured at the 2026 Elite Business Awards winning that category. He has also founded MASANAS, a family investment company and philanthropic venture arm of the Sweeny family, focusing on championing Welsh entrepreneurial talent and supporting community projects.

Career history

• Executive Chairman, de Novo Solutions (September 2026–present)
• Founder and Chief Executive, de Novo Solutions (October 2020–September 2026)
• Founder and Chief Executive, Certus Solutions (2011–2018, acquired by Accenture)
• Employee, Lloyds Bank, Data Processing
• Crew Member, McDonald's

What Mark Sweeny could bring to his Executive Chairman role at de Novo Solutions: Drawing on over two decades of entrepreneurial leadership, Sweeny's transition to Executive Chairman positions him to provide strategic oversight and mentorship during the company's scaling phase. His track record of building Certus Solutions from a pioneering Oracle Cloud specialist into an acquisition target for Accenture, combined with his success growing de Novo Solutions into Wales's fastest-growing tech firm, demonstrates his ability to identify market opportunities and build high-performing teams. As Executive Chairman, Sweeny can leverage his deep technology expertise, investor relationships, and commitment to Welsh entrepreneurial development to guide the company's future expansion while continuing his philanthropic efforts through MASANAS to strengthen the broader UK tech ecosystem.