Applied Systems, a global provider of cloud-based software for the insurance industry, has announced that Graham Blackwell has been named its next Chief Executive Officer as part of a planned leadership transition over the next two quarters.
Taylor Rhodes, Applied Systems’ current CEO, who has led the firm for the past seven years, will remain in his role during this period as he and Blackwell execute the transition.
Blackwell will officially assume the CEO role just prior to the company’s Applied Net 2026 industry conference in September.
He joined Applied in 2020 as Chief Financial Officer and currently serves as President, overseeing the company’s Strategic Growth Business Units, as well as corporate development, acquisitions, and strategic planning.
During his tenure, Blackwell has led initiatives that have expanded Applied’s market position, including the acquisition of EZLynx, the launch of Applied Pay and its expansion into broader financial management, increased investment in Benefits, a “better together” integration strategy connecting Applied and Ivans, and the acquisitions of Planck and Cytora—further strengthening Applied’s position in AI.
Prior to joining Applied, he served as Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer at SMS Assist, where he led sales, marketing, and strategy. Before that, he spent nearly eight years as an Executive Vice President on Bain Capital’s North American Private Equity operating team.
Blackwell said, “For more than 40 years, Applied has led the insurance technology industry. I am incredibly honored to follow in the steps of the great leaders who have taken the company through its many transformational chapters.
“Insurance is at an AI-powered inflection point, and Applied stands in a unique position to drive the industry forward, to be the fabric that connects the business of insurance, and to use the power of AI to make the entire system work better. We have bold ambitions, and I look forward to partnering with the industry to redefine how insurance works and create compounding value with greater speed for all stakeholders.”
Rhodes added, “It has been a great privilege for me to lead Applied for the past seven years of transformational investment and growth.
“Working with Graham to reinvigorate our innovation culture, modernise our core management systems, make substantial investments to connect the Digital Roundtrip of Insurance, and to make early big bets on the power of AI to transform our industry has been exhilarating. We have set Applied on a path to create enormous new value for independent agencies and carriers alike, and I am confident that under Graham’s leadership Applied will continue to the lead in value creation for the insurance industry. I am incredibly proud of the work done by everyone at Team Applied and for their relentless commitment to being Indispensable Partners to each other, our customers, and the broader industry. We have stayed centerd on the simple idea that when we help our clients win, they will help us win in return. I can’t wait to witness this next exciting chapter for Applied and our industry.”
Sameer Narang, Chairman of Applied and partner at Hellman & Friedman, said, “We are delighted to welcome Graham as Applied’s new CEO as we enter the next chapter of Applied’s success.
“For nearly six years, Graham has had an incredible track record of success at Applied. His proven leadership ability, customer-centric approach, and intense focus on bringing the value of AI to life for the broader insurance industry in ways that redefine how work will be done for the better are incredibly exciting.”
“Taylor’s outstanding leadership and strategic vision have driven tremendous innovation at Applied. The company’s core business has grown significantly over the years and has expanded into new segments of the value chain that create immense growth paths as he hands the reins to Graham,” Narang continued. “We are grateful for all of Taylor’s many contributions and look forward to his continued leadership through this transition.”
