# Dave Whittle

> Dave (David) Whittle is a Lexer co-founder and its publicly listed CCO, formerly its CEO. His career connects digital advertising, retail customer data and corporate governance, including a decade at M&C Saatchi and board roles at Metcash, Michael Hill and Challenger.

- **Role:** CCO & Co-Founder at Lexer
- **Organizations:** Lexer, M&C Saatchi, Metcash, Michael Hill International, Challenger, Myer, Trafion Technologies
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce, Deakin University
- **Known for:** Helped build Lexer from an agency-era software project into an international retail customer data business., Led M&C Saatchi’s Australian business and helped grow its digital operations across Asia Pacific and the United States., Served on the Myer board from 2015 to 2024.

## Career timeline

- **1998** — Worked as director of client services at Blue digital, describing himself as its first employee.
- **—** — Co-founded Trafion Technologies before his M&C Saatchi leadership career.
- **—** — Spent ten years at M&C Saatchi, including three years as Australian managing director.
- **2015** — Helped Lexer win enterprise customers, including Qantas; joined the Myer board.
- **2021** — Was Lexer CEO when the company announced an AU$33.5 million Series B.
- **2023** — Joined Michael Hill International’s board in August; Lexer identified him as CCO in July.
- **2024** — Joined the Metcash board on 28 November; ended his Myer board tenure in December.
- **2025** — Joined Challenger’s board in June; appeared on The First podcast in August.

## Achievements

- Helped build Lexer from an agency-era software project into an international retail customer data business.
- Led M&C Saatchi’s Australian business and helped grow its digital operations across Asia Pacific and the United States.
- Served on the Myer board from 2015 to 2024.
- Holds board roles at Metcash, Michael Hill and Challenger.

## Latest updates

- **2025-08** — Appeared on The First to discuss his upbringing, co-founder relationships, fundraising and AI.
- **2025-06** — Appointed an independent non-executive director of Challenger, effective 17 June.

## Links

- Website: https://www.lexer.io/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwhittle/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/dave-whittle
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16