Maxon Appoints Chief Product Officer

Maxon, a developer of software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics and visual effects, has announced the appointment of Steve Forde as Chief Product Officer (CPO).

In his new role, Forde will lead Maxon's global product organisation, working closely with Philip Losch, Chief Technology and AI Officer, to drive product strategy, execution and long-term innovation across the Maxon portfolio.

Forde joins Maxon at a pivotal time for both the company and the wider creative technology industry. Bringing decades of experience across high-growth startups and global enterprises serving creative professionals, he combines entrepreneurial insight with large-scale operational leadership. His appointment underscores Maxon's continued investment in strengthening its leadership team while evolving its product offering to meet the changing needs of creators, while maintaining the company’s long-standing connection to the artist community.

"What drew me to Maxon was the convergence of people, technology, and a fundamental shift in how creative content is made," said Steve Forde, Chief Product Officer at Maxon. "The proliferation of games, advertising, and social media is driving 3D from niche skillset to mainstream job requirement. With the right combination of product innovation and intelligent workflows, it can become accessible to an even broader audience. Maxon is uniquely positioned to lead that transformation, not just by building powerful tools, but by delivering experiences that scale with creators as their needs evolve. I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines while it happens."

Throughout his career, Forde has held senior leadership roles at organisations including Adobe and Amazon, where he led product, engineering and design teams for large-scale platforms such as Adobe® After Effects® and Amazon Prime Video. Earlier, he founded and led two successful startups, including GridIron Software, where he oversaw the development of plugins for Adobe After Effects. This work introduced him to the Maxon team in 2007 and provided early experience collaborating closely with the company.
As Chief Product Officer, Forde will focus on establishing a clear long-term product vision while scaling Maxon’s product organisation to support global teams, increasingly complex customer requirements and sustained enterprise growth. His remit includes ensuring the delivery of cohesive, high-quality product experiences while preserving the creative spirit that has long defined Maxon.

"Steve brings a deep understanding of both where Maxon comes from and where the market is heading," said David McGavran, CEO of Maxon. "His ability to connect long-term vision with practical execution makes him an ideal partner as we continue to grow. This appointment strengthens our leadership team and positions Maxon to lead the industry through the next phase of creative evolution."

A central focus of Forde's role will be guiding the integration of emerging technologies into Maxon’s products in ways that respect artistic craft and amplify human creativity. By grounding innovation in real-world workflows and engaging closely with the creative community, Maxon aims to reduce complexity, remove friction and expand creative possibilities for artists and teams alike.

Looking ahead, Maxon will continue to invest in product innovation that serves its global creative community while expanding into new markets and use cases. Under Forde’s product leadership, the company plans to execute a long-term vision for the future of 3D and media creation, shaping how creators work over the next five years and beyond.

maxon.net