Lightspeed Appoints Revenue Leader as it Doubles Down on Profitable Growth

Montreal, QC – November 13, 2025 – Lightspeed Commerce (NYSE: LSPD) today announced the appointment of Gabriel Benavides as Chief Revenue Officer, effective immediately. The move signals a strategic acceleration of the company’s focus on achieving profitable growth and solidifying its position as a leading provider of unified commerce platforms for retail and hospitality businesses.

Benavides brings a wealth of experience to Lightspeed, having previously held senior leadership roles at high-growth companies like Medallia and Contentsquare. He’s known for building and scaling high-performing sales organizations and driving significant revenue growth. This appointment comes as Lightspeed executes a strategic shift focused on streamlining operations, prioritizing key markets, and enhancing its go-to-market strategy.

“Gabriel is a proven revenue leader with a track record of success in scaling businesses and driving profitable growth,” said Dax Dasilva, CEO of Lightspeed. “His expertise will be instrumental as we accelerate our focus on key growth engines and deliver enhanced value to our customers.”

A Strategic Shift Towards Profitability

The appointment of Benavides isn’t happening in a vacuum. Lightspeed has undergone a significant strategic review in recent months, resulting in a sharpened focus on two core growth areas: retail in North America and hospitality in Europe. The company is actively optimizing its operations, reducing complexity, and reallocating resources to maximize profitability in these key markets.

“The company is really trying to laser-focus on where they can win,” explains one industry analyst. “They’ve identified those two areas as having the highest potential for growth and are making the necessary investments to capitalize on those opportunities.”

This strategic shift comes after a period of rapid expansion and acquisitions. While Lightspeed successfully broadened its product portfolio and market reach, it also faced challenges related to integration and operational complexity. The current plan aims to address these challenges and build a more sustainable, profitable business model.

Benavides’ Role: Aligning Sales and Driving Growth

Benavides’ primary responsibility as CRO will be to align Lightspeed’s sales, customer success, marketing, and channel partnerships to deliver a more cohesive and effective go-to-market strategy. The company is particularly focused on enhancing outbound performance, expanding software and payments ARPU, and accelerating growth in its priority markets.

“A key part of my role will be to ensure that all of our revenue-generating teams are working together seamlessly to deliver the best possible experience for our customers,” Benavides stated in a press release. “I’m excited to join Lightspeed and contribute to its continued success.”

According to sources familiar with the company’s plans, Benavides will also be instrumental in driving the adoption of Lightspeed’s integrated software and payments solutions. By bundling these offerings together, the company aims to increase customer lifetime value and generate recurring revenue.

A Changing of the Guard: Saint-Martin’s Departure

The timing of Benavides’ appointment coincides with the planned departure of JD Saint-Martin, Lightspeed’s current President. Saint-Martin, who joined the company in 2019, will be stepping down on March 31, 2026, to focus on mentoring and investing in early-stage Canadian tech companies.

“JD has been instrumental in building the foundation for Lightspeed’s transformation,” Dasilva acknowledged. “We thank him for his contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Saint-Martin’s departure marks a changing of the guard at Lightspeed. While he brought a wealth of experience and leadership to the company, the appointment of Benavides signals a new chapter focused on driving revenue growth and achieving profitability. “JD built a lot of the infrastructure; now Gabriel is coming in to really monetize it,” noted one industry observer.

Market Response and Future Outlook

The announcement of Benavides’ appointment has been met with a positive response from the market. Lightspeed’s stock price saw a modest increase on the news, and analysts have expressed optimism about the company’s strategic direction. “The appointment of a seasoned revenue leader like Gabriel Benavides is a clear indication that Lightspeed is committed to achieving its profitability goals,” said an analyst at a leading investment firm.

However, challenges remain. The competitive landscape in the unified commerce platform space is fierce, and Lightspeed will need to continue innovating and delivering value to its customers to maintain its competitive edge. “They’re facing a lot of competition from companies like Shopify, Square, and Toast,” noted one expert. “They need to differentiate themselves and offer a compelling solution that meets the needs of their target market.”

Looking ahead, Lightspeed is focused on several key priorities: expanding its market share in North America and Europe, driving adoption of its integrated software and payments solutions, and achieving its profitability targets. The company is also investing in new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to enhance its product offerings and deliver a more personalized customer experience.

“We’re confident that we have the right team and the right strategy in place to achieve our goals,” Dasilva concluded. “We’re excited about the future and confident that Lightspeed will continue to be a leader in the unified commerce platform space.”

Lightspeed Commerce’s strategic move to appoint a revenue leader is a clear sign the company is prioritizing growth alongside efficiency. The next few quarters will be crucial in determining whether this new focus will translate into increased profitability and sustained success in a competitive market.