working in 170+ COUNTRIES
Our Company
When your goal is to launch world-class AI, our reliable products, expertise and AI training specialists give you the confidence to deploy.
Confidence to Deploy World-class AI
We’re your trusted partner to provide high-quality data solutions for AI, with a strong focus on large language models (LLMs) and deep learning. Our mission is to empower businesses to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence while upholding ethical principles and creating AI for good.
With a diverse and skilled workforce comprising data scientists, linguists, engineers, and subject matter experts, we offer unrivaled expertise in data collection, annotation, fine-tuning and assurance. We understand the transformative power of LLMs in revolutionizing natural language processing and communication.
What sets us apart is our commitment to ethical AI practices. We believe in the responsible use of AI, ensuring fairness, transparency, and unbiased decision-making. Our stringent processes are designed to mitigate biases and uphold the highest ethical standards, enabling our clients to deploy AI applications that are trustworthy and inclusive.
At Appen, we firmly believe in the potential of AI to make a positive impact on society. Our mission is to drive innovation and solutions that address pressing global challenges. We actively collaborate with organizations and researchers working on socially impactful projects, aiming to leverage AI technology to solve real-world problems, improve lives, and foster a more sustainable future.
Welcome to Appen, where we unlock the power of LLMs and deep learning, driven by our commitment to ethical practices and our mission to create AI for good.
Appen at a Glance
Diversity, experience, and unmatched capabilities—check out the top six reasons why we’re your trusted partner to launch your most innovative AI applications.
Diverse experience
Expertise in
235+ LANGUAGES
More than
1,125 EMPLOYEES located in nine offices around the globe
Access to
more than 1 MILLION crowd contributors, AI Training Specialists, and domain experts from all around the world.
Nearly
6 BILLION judgements made and 3 million images and videos collected
Partnering with
leading global technology companies for more than 26 YEARS
Our Leadership
We’re a diverse and well-rounded group of innovators from all over the world, each with decades of experience in a variety of backgrounds—from tech solutions and software engineering to online travel and automotive retail. Our list of accomplishments covers everything from co-authoring a bestselling AI book to staffing one of the largest veterinary companies in the US. It’s our broad range of expertise and backgrounds that make us completely unique.
Armughan Ahmad | CEO
As Chief Executive Officer and President, Armughan leads Appen’s mission to enable our customers to deploy world-class AI solutions. Armughan is a proven business executive with over 25 years of experience is scaling multi-billion dollar businesses and building strong teams.
Most recently Armughan served as the President and Managing partner of Digital at KPMG, a global leader in delivering innovative digital transformation services across industry sectors. Before that he was the Senior Vice President & General Manager at (NYSE:Dell), where he led the company’s Cloud, HPC and Solutions business. He oversaw product, engineering, sales, marketing, services and alliances, growing Dell’s business to multi-billions in revenue. Armughan played a vital role in integrating Dell’s acquisition of EMC data storage, architecting multiple successful multi-cloud platforms, including Microsoft, VMWare, and RedHat. Prior to Dell, Armughan held global executive positions at Hewlett Packard (HP) through the acquisition of 3Com/H3C (NYSE:3COM) a networking and security business, he has held operating roles with tech companies backed by private equity.
Armughan serves on the board of Future Skills Center innovating the future of work with human and machine collaboration. He also serves on the international advisory and school of engineering boards of University of Waterloo. As one of the founding members, Armughan is a passionate promoter of diversity accelerator at CILAR, mental health awareness and ESG social impact programs.
Board of Directors
Richard Freudenstein
Non-Executive Chair
Richard Freudenstein is the Chair of Appen. He was appointed Chair in October 2021 and has been a non-executive director since August 2021. Richard is a director of Coles Group Limited, REA Group Ltd and Cricket Australia, and is a member of the Afiniti Advisory Board. Previously, he was Chairman of REA Group Ltd and a director of Ten Network Holdings Ltd, Foxtel and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. Richard has held the roles of Chief Executive Officer at Foxtel, News Digital Media and The Australian, and was Chief Operating Officer at British Sky Broadcasting. He is currently Deputy Chancellor and Fellow of the Senate at the University of Sydney.
Richard has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney.
Richard Freudenstein
Non-Executive Chair
Richard Freudenstein is the Chair of Appen. He was appointed Chair in October 2021 and has been a non-executive director since August 2021. Richard is a director of Coles Group Limited, REA Group Ltd and Cricket Australia, and is a member of the Afiniti Advisory Board. Previously, he was Chairman of REA Group Ltd and a director of Ten Network Holdings Ltd, Foxtel and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. Richard has held the roles of Chief Executive Officer at Foxtel, News Digital Media and The Australian, and was Chief Operating Officer at British Sky Broadcasting. He is currently Deputy Chancellor and Fellow of the Senate at the University of Sydney.
Richard has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney.
Armughan Ahmad
Managing Director
As Chief Executive Officer and President, Armughan leads Appen’s mission to enable our customers to deploy world-class AI solutions. Armughan is a proven business executive with over 25 years of experience is scaling multi-billion dollar businesses and building strong teams.
Most recently Armughan served as the President and Managing partner of Digital at KPMG, a global leader in delivering innovative digital transformation services across industry sectors. Before that he was the Senior Vice President & General Manger at (NYSE:Dell), where he led the company’s Cloud, HPC and Solutions business. He oversaw product, engineering, sales, marketing, services and alliances, growing Dell’s business to multi-billions in revenue. Armughan played a vital role in integrating Dell’s acquisition of EMC data storage, architecting multiple successful multi-cloud platforms, including Microsoft, VMWare, and RedHat. Prior to Dell, Armughan held global executive positions at Hewlett Packard (HP) through the acquisition of 3Com/H3C (NYSE:3COM) a networking and security business, he has held operating roles with tech companies backed by private equity.
Armughan serves on the board of Future Skills Center innovating the future of work with human and machine collaboration. He also serves on the international advisory and school of engineering boards of University of Waterloo. Armughan is a passionate promoter of diversity accelerator at CILAR, mental health awareness and ESG social impact programs.
Armughan Ahmad
Managing Director
As Chief Executive Officer and President, Armughan leads Appen’s mission to enable our customers to deploy world-class AI solutions. Armughan is a proven business executive with over 25 years of experience is scaling multi-billion dollar businesses and building strong teams.
Most recently Armughan served as the President and Managing partner of Digital at KPMG, a global leader in delivering innovative digital transformation services across industry sectors. Before that he was the Senior Vice President & General Manger at (NYSE:Dell), where he led the company’s Cloud, HPC and Solutions business. He oversaw product, engineering, sales, marketing, services and alliances, growing Dell’s business to multi-billions in revenue. Armughan played a vital role in integrating Dell’s acquisition of EMC data storage, architecting multiple successful multi-cloud platforms, including Microsoft, VMWare, and RedHat. Prior to Dell, Armughan held global executive positions at Hewlett Packard (HP) through the acquisition of 3Com/H3C (NYSE:3COM) a networking and security business, he has held operating roles with tech companies backed by private equity.
Armughan serves on the board of Future Skills Center innovating the future of work with human and machine collaboration. He also serves on the international advisory and school of engineering boards of University of Waterloo. Armughan is a passionate promoter of diversity accelerator at CILAR, mental health awareness and ESG social impact programs.
Steve Hasker
Non-Executive Director
Steve Hasker has been a non-executive Director of Appen since April 2015. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of Thomson Reuters, a global company providing its customers with critical news, information and technology, effective March 15, 2020.
Previously, Steve served as senior advisor to TPG Capital, a private equity firm, chief executive officer of CAA Global, a TPG Capital portfolio company, and global president and chief operating officer of Nielsen, an information, data and measurement firm. He spent more than a decade with McKinsey as a partner in the global media, information and technology practice.
Before joining McKinsey, Steve worked in several financial roles in the United States, Russia and Australia. He started his career with PwC, where he qualified as a chartered accountant.
Steve is a non-executive director of Appen Limited and a member of the Australia and New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. He received an MBA and master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University.
Steve Hasker
Non-Executive Director
Steve Hasker has been a non-executive Director of Appen since April 2015. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of Thomson Reuters, a global company providing its customers with critical news, information and technology, effective March 15, 2020.
Previously, Steve served as senior advisor to TPG Capital, a private equity firm, chief executive officer of CAA Global, a TPG Capital portfolio company, and global president and chief operating officer of Nielsen, an information, data and measurement firm. He spent more than a decade with McKinsey as a partner in the global media, information and technology practice.
Before joining McKinsey, Steve worked in several financial roles in the United States, Russia and Australia. He started his career with PwC, where he qualified as a chartered accountant.
Steve is a non-executive director of Appen Limited and a member of the Australia and New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. He received an MBA and master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University.
Robin Low
Non-Executive Director
Robin Low has been a non-executive director of Appen since 30 October 2014. Her other directorships include AUB Group Limited (AUB), CSG Limited (CSV), IPH Limited (IPH), Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation, and she is the deputy chairman of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. Previously Robin had a 28 year career at PricewaterhouseCoopers where she was a partner specializing in assurance and risk, mainly in financial services. Robin is also involved with not-for-profit organizations and serves on the boards of Public Education Foundation and Primary Ethics.
Robin has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Robin Low
Non-Executive Director
Robin Low has been a non-executive director of Appen since 30 October 2014. Her other directorships include AUB Group Limited (AUB), CSG Limited (CSV), IPH Limited (IPH), Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation, and she is the deputy chairman of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. Previously Robin had a 28 year career at PricewaterhouseCoopers where she was a partner specializing in assurance and risk, mainly in financial services. Robin is also involved with not-for-profit organizations and serves on the boards of Public Education Foundation and Primary Ethics.
Robin has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Stuart Davis
Non-Executive Director
Stuart has over 30 years’ experience as an international banker with the HSBC Group including roles in Hong Kong, New York, Taiwan, India and Australia.
Most recently he was CEO of India for the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (2009-2012), CEO and Executive Director for HSBC Bank Australia Limited (2002-2009) and CEO HSBC Taiwan (1999-2002).
He was a member of the Australian Bankers Association from 2002 to 2009 and Deputy Chairman from 2006 to 2009.
Stuart holds a LLB from Adelaide University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Stuart Davis
Non-Executive Director
Stuart has over 30 years’ experience as an international banker with the HSBC Group including roles in Hong Kong, New York, Taiwan, India and Australia.
Most recently he was CEO of India for the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (2009-2012), CEO and Executive Director for HSBC Bank Australia Limited (2002-2009) and CEO HSBC Taiwan (1999-2002).
He was a member of the Australian Bankers Association from 2002 to 2009 and Deputy Chairman from 2006 to 2009.
Stuart holds a LLB from Adelaide University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Vanessa Liu
Non-Executive Director
Vanessa was most recently the Vice President of SAP.iO, the early stage venture arm of SAP which invests in and accelerates startups in enterprise technology. She oversaw SAP.iO’s North American Foundries.
Before SAP, Vanessa was the Chief Operating Officer at Trigger Media Group, a digital media incubator. In her role, she co-founded, incubated and oversaw business operations and strategic initiatives of Trigger’s portfolio companies: InsideHook and Fevo.
Previously, Vanessa was an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company’s Media and Entertainment Practice, based in Amsterdam, London and New York. She was responsible for serving clients in a variety of media and high-tech sectors on issues of digital strategy, emerging market strategy, growth and innovation.
Vanessa graduated magna cum laude highest honors with an AB in psychology from Harvard University and cum laude with a JD from Harvard Law School. She was a Fulbright Scholar at Universiteit Utrecht in the Netherlands. She serves as President of the Harvard Alumni Association.
Vanessa Liu
Non-Executive Director
Vanessa was most recently the Vice President of SAP.iO, the early stage venture arm of SAP which invests in and accelerates startups in enterprise technology. She oversaw SAP.iO’s North American Foundries.
Before SAP, Vanessa was the Chief Operating Officer at Trigger Media Group, a digital media incubator. In her role, she co-founded, incubated and oversaw business operations and strategic initiatives of Trigger’s portfolio companies: InsideHook and Fevo.
Previously, Vanessa was an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company’s Media and Entertainment Practice, based in Amsterdam, London and New York. She was responsible for serving clients in a variety of media and high-tech sectors on issues of digital strategy, emerging market strategy, growth and innovation.
Vanessa graduated magna cum laude highest honors with an AB in psychology from Harvard University and cum laude with a JD from Harvard Law School. She was a Fulbright Scholar at Universiteit Utrecht in the Netherlands. She serves as President of the Harvard Alumni Association.
Lynn Mickleburgh
Non-Executive Director
Lynn joins the Appen Board bringing experience as an ASX non–executive director, a board advisor and transformational leader of both Fortune 500 companies and high growth SaaS companies.
Lynn is a former non-executive Director of ASX listed Altium Limited (ASX:ALU), where she chaired the HR Committee and served on the Audit and Risk Committee. Previously, she was Head of Business Optimisation at Atlassian Inc, VP Finance at Citrix Systems and held various global and operational roles at Adobe Systems and Apple Computer.
Lynn has many years of experience in digital transformation and brings valuable skills to the Appen Board in building agile, scalable business platforms for operational efficiency, introducing new GTM and cloud-based business models. She is also well versed in finance and accounting, corporate planning and reporting, data governance and M&A Integrations.
Lynn holds a BSc (with Honors) in Mathematics from the University of Southampton in the UK and an MBA in Business Management from St. Edwards University in the US.
Lynn Mickleburgh
Non-Executive Director
Lynn joins the Appen Board bringing experience as an ASX non–executive director, a board advisor and transformational leader of both Fortune 500 companies and high growth SaaS companies.
Lynn is a former non-executive Director of ASX listed Altium Limited (ASX:ALU), where she chaired the HR Committee and served on the Audit and Risk Committee. Previously, she was Head of Business Optimisation at Atlassian Inc, VP Finance at Citrix Systems and held various global and operational roles at Adobe Systems and Apple Computer.
Lynn has many years of experience in digital transformation and brings valuable skills to the Appen Board in building agile, scalable business platforms for operational efficiency, introducing new GTM and cloud-based business models. She is also well versed in finance and accounting, corporate planning and reporting, data governance and M&A Integrations.
Lynn holds a BSc (with Honors) in Mathematics from the University of Southampton in the UK and an MBA in Business Management from St. Edwards University in the US.
Mini Peiris
Non-Executive Director
Mini is currently the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doma (NYSE: DOMA), a real estate technology company that is disrupting a century-old industry by building an instant and frictionless home closing experience for buyers and sellers. Previously, Mini was the CMO at Elementum (a Lightspeed company) and Ambra Health (acquired by Hg’s Intelerad).
Mini spent 12+ years at cloud-pioneer company NetSuite (NYSE: N), from its early stages through to its IPO and beyond. She helped drive product growth as Vice President of Product Management, then went on to lead a global team as Vice President Worldwide Marketing that delivered go-to-market scale from US$100 million to US$750 million.
Mini has many years of experience in managing global teams and all forms of product and marketing functions including go-to-market strategy, product management, product marketing, demand generation and partner marketing.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan.
Mini Peiris
Non-Executive Director
Mini is currently the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doma (NYSE: DOMA), a real estate technology company that is disrupting a century-old industry by building an instant and frictionless home closing experience for buyers and sellers. Previously, Mini was the CMO at Elementum (a Lightspeed company) and Ambra Health (acquired by Hg’s Intelerad).
Mini spent 12+ years at cloud-pioneer company NetSuite (NYSE: N), from its early stages through to its IPO and beyond. She helped drive product growth as Vice President of Product Management, then went on to lead a global team as Vice President Worldwide Marketing that delivered go-to-market scale from US$100 million to US$750 million.
Mini has many years of experience in managing global teams and all forms of product and marketing functions including go-to-market strategy, product management, product marketing, demand generation and partner marketing.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan.
Awards and Recognition
2023
Bronze winner in The 21st Annual American Business Awards® for Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year.
2023
Data Breakthrough Award Winner for Data Solution of the Year in Transportation.
2023
Top 50 Human Resources Professional Award Winners Andrea Clayton, Chief People Officer.
2023
Top 100 Learning & Development Professional Award Winners Kristi Conlon, Senior Director of Learning, Development & Inclusion.
2023
Top 10 AI Cloud Platform by VentureBeat.
2022
Finalist for VentureBeat Women in AI Awards Sujatha Sagiraju, Chief Product Officer.
2022
Finalist for VentureBeat Women in AI Awards Andrea Clayton, Chief People Officer.
2021
Winner of DBTA 100 2021: Awarded to forward-looking data companies.
2021
Nimdzi 100 Top 10 Named the 7th top language service provider (LSP) on the market.
2021
Big Innovation Award Awarded for TICO-19, a partnership with Translators without Borders which translated COVID-19 terms in 37 languages.
2017-2020
CSA Research Top 25 Recognized as a global leader in language services for four years.
2017-2019
Deloitte Asia Pacific Technology Fast 500™ Three-time recipient based on the percentage of fiscal year revenue growth.
2012-2019
Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Australia Awards Recognized as #6 in Leadership, and #7 for Tech Fast Female, or companies founded by a female.
2019
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve A U.S. Defense Department program promoting cooperation between civilian employers and their National Guard and Reserve employees
2019
Equals By PhilCODE Recognized for practicing and promoting diversity and inclusion.
2019
Australian Growth Company Awards Named growth company of the year.
2019
Speech Technology People's Choice Award Recognized winner in Best Speech to Text Category.
2019
Translators without Borders Winner of the donor award for significant conribution of transcription and translation services.
2014-2019
FlexJobs Top 100 Remote Work Company to Watch #1 ranking for remote work in 2017 and 2019.
2017
Australian Growth Company Awards Received Technology Growth Company of the Year Award.
2014
Momentum Mid-Market Awards Finalist for Best Mid-Market Business $50-$100MM Category.
2008
Australian Export Awards Inaugural winner of the Prime Minister's Exporter of the Year Award.
Global Coverage
Providing excellent customer services from nine offices and various locations around the world.
Giving Back
We believe in giving back to our community by supporting numerous international nonprofits.
