Kelly Herrell steps down as FortifAI CEO, commercial strategy unchanged
FortifAI Limited (ASX: FTI) has advised that Kelly Herrell has elected to step down as Chief Executive Officer, effective today (6 November 2026).
The Company states its commercial strategy and timetable are unchanged, and the full commercial leadership team remains in place as NOL8 pursues first commercial agreements.
For investors, the question is continuity. The announcement frames the exit as a handover after the product launch milestones rather than a change in direction.
According to the announcement, Mr Herrell decided this is the right time to step down, with Version 2.0 now available and a dedicated commercial leadership team in place.
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What Herrell delivered during his tenure
Mr Herrell joined the Company in mid-2026 to lead NOL8 through its transition to a commercial business. During his tenure, the announcement lists the following milestones:
- AI Data Plane Version 1.0 launched
- Commercial Version 2.0 launched
- Technology made available through distribution partners Megaport and Equinix
The product and channel foundations are therefore in place, which is what the commercial team now builds on.
The Version 2.0 commercial launch on AWS opened the door to paid proof-of-value engagements, which are evaluations rather than commitments to sign contracts, so the first revenue signal still depends on conversion.
Kelly Herrell
“It has been a privilege to lead the Company through the launch of AI Data Plane 2.0. NOL8 has the technology, the channel partners and the commercial team to succeed, and I look forward to following its progress as a shareholder.”
Mr Herrell intends to follow NOL8’s progress as a shareholder. The Board thanked him for his contribution.
The leadership team now steering NOL8
The executive team reports directly to the Board. It comprises the following executives:
| Executive | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Alon Rashelbach | Executive Director, Chief Technology Officer and General Manager (Israel) |
| Jason Brushe | Chief Revenue Officer |
| Boris Levin | VP Finance |
| Jamie Pope | Chief Solutions Officer |
The revenue, technology, finance and solutions functions all sit within the existing team, and the first commercial agreements are the next focus.
Performance Rights and what it means for shareholders
Mr Herrell retains his vested Class C Performance Rights. Any unvested Performance Rights will be treated in accordance with their terms.
What an AI data plane does
NOL8’s AI Data Plane gives organisations visibility into how data moves through their AI systems, “enabling certainty where there was once assumption.” Distribution through Megaport and Equinix makes that technology available through channel partners, which is the route the Company is relying on as it pursues first commercial agreements.
The Equinix Fabric listing is a channel milestone rather than a revenue event, with the pipeline running from listing to proof-of-concept, general availability and then contracted deployments.
FortifAI Limited (ASX: FTI) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed technology company focused on artificial intelligence and advanced computing through its subsidiary NOL8.
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