Socho IT welcomes new General Manager

Socho IT B.V. is pleased to announce that Jard van Heerde has been appointed as the new General Director as of March 3, 2025. He succeeds Bob van der Horst and Marco Clerx, who have led the company since it was founded in 2001. Under their leadership, Socho has grown into the Dutch market leader in subscription management and IT solutions for publishers. This step marks a new era of further professionalization and growth.

The appointment of Jard van Heerde follows the recent investment by Ventus Succession B.V., a business succession fund focused on innovation and strategic growth. Jard's expertise in strategy and technology is well in line with Socho's ambitions to further strengthen its position as the market leader in software for publishing.

Bob van der Horst and Marco Clerx remain involved with the company and are enthusiastically contributing to the next growth phase. “We're proud of what we've built with Socho and believe now is the right time to take the next step as a company. Jard brings the right energy and vision to help Socho continue to grow and prepare for the future,” says Bob van der Horst.

Focus on innovation and growth

“I'm impressed with what the Socho team has achieved — the software is of exceptional quality and is appreciated by leading customers,” says Jard van Heerde. “In my first weeks, I experienced how customer-focused Socho works. Thanks to our flexible software and excellent service, many customers have been associated with Socho for a long time. I therefore see plenty of opportunities to further develop the product and expand the company in the Netherlands and Belgium.”

In the coming period, Socho will focus on two priorities:

• Release of a new subscription module. With a focus on digital-first, flexible propositions and bundling products and brands.
• Professionalizing marketing and communication — so that we can tell our story better and help more publishers with their digital transformation.

“I'm really looking forward to building Socho's future with the team. Publishers need to be able to rely on the stability and strong service they've come to expect from us while we help them continue to digitize.”

About Socho

With its product Zeno, Socho IT B.V. is the specialist in administrative software for publishers and media companies. With an all-round package, Zeno enables customers to digitize, work more efficiently, and implement innovative business models. Since its inception in 2001, Socho has developed into the market leader in the Netherlands. Known for its flexibility and robustness, Zeno integrates seamlessly with customers' existing systems.