Lightspeed President JD Saint-Martin to Depart in 2026

JD Saint-Martin, president of Montreal-based Lightspeed Commerce, has announced his intention to step down at the end of the company’s fiscal year, specifically on March 31, 2026. This decision comes after six years with the e-commerce and point-of-sale technology firm, during which he held several key leadership roles. Saint-Martin will focus on mentoring and investing in early-stage founders in the Canadian technology sector.

In a LinkedIn post, Saint-Martin expressed gratitude for his time at Lightspeed and indicated that there would be “more to come soon.” He emphasized the emergence of a new generation of ambitious entrepreneurs in Canada who are committed to long-term growth. “I want to help accelerate that,” he stated.

Lightspeed’s announcement of Saint-Martin’s departure coincides with the appointment of Gabriel Benavides as the new chief revenue officer (CRO). This strategic move follows the company’s fiscal Q2 earnings report, which exceeded internal revenue forecasts. Saint-Martin joined Lightspeed in 2019 when the firm acquired Chronogolf, the software company he co-founded in 2013. He transitioned from senior vice-president of global sales to CRO in 2021, before being appointed president in 2022.

To ensure a seamless transition, Saint-Martin will remain with the company until the end of the fiscal year. Benavides brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served as CRO at market intelligence platforms Contentsquare and Medallia. At Medallia, he played a crucial role in driving annual revenue growth, resulting in a market valuation of $6 billion.

Lightspeed CEO Dax Dasilva praised Saint-Martin’s leadership, stating, “JD’s leadership built the foundation for Lightspeed’s transformation; Gabriel’s appointment accelerates that trajectory.” The company, founded in 2005, specializes in providing point-of-sale and commerce software and hardware for restaurants, retailers, and hospitality providers.

In the wake of its recent financial successes, Lightspeed has upgraded its outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year. The firm surpassed its goal of achieving $1 billion in revenue this year, although its share price has struggled to reclaim its 2021 heights. Currently, Lightspeed holds a market capitalization of approximately $2.5 billion CAD.

In September, Lightspeed expanded its board of directors by adding industry veterans such as Sameer Samat, head of Google Android, and Odilon Almeida, a seasoned FinTech executive. This move aligns with the company’s strategic transformation plan as it continues to adapt to the evolving marketplace. Lightspeed is dual-listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘LSPD’.

As Lightspeed prepares for leadership changes, the focus will remain on fostering innovation and supporting the next wave of entrepreneurs within the technology landscape.