Did a potential predator highlight the value within Vista?

Is Vista founder Murray Holdaway Mr Nice Guy or a visionary? Photo: source: Vista Group.

I was delighted to see Vista Group's board put up a spirited and successful fight against Australia-based private equity firm Potentia's demand for a board seat and the sacking of two existing directors.

I couldn't see what value Potentia nominee Amitesh Chand could bring to the board and Vista highlighted the potential for Chand, a Potentia executive, to be conflicted if he did join the board.

Chair Susan Peterson has only held that position since 2021 and has presided over Vista's move from selling software based on customers' premises to a software-as-a-service (SAAS) cloud-based subscription service model.

That transition for the cinema and movie industry technology provider has already provided considerable value, with the promise of much more to come.

And, as Vista successfully argued, getting rid of director Kirk Senior would have removed the board's global cinema industry expert.