Preply Appoints Charlie Wickers as New Chief Financial Officer to Support Global Growth

Preply Welcomes Charlie Wickers as CFO

In a significant move aimed at strengthening its financial strategy, Preply, the leading global language learning platform, has appointed Charlie Wickers as its new Chief Financial Officer. Announced on October 28, 2025, this appointment comes as the company is poised to expand its reach within the fast-growing language education sector, estimated to be worth $115 billion by 2025.

Charlie Wickers brings two decades of robust experience in financial leadership, particularly in technology companies, both pre-IPO and established firms. Before joining Preply, he served as CFO at Rover, a prominent online marketplace for pet care services, where he played a critical role during the company’s public listing and subsequent private acquisition by Blackstone. Wickers is known for his ability to develop financial strategies, optimize operations, and apply business analytics effectively.

Preply’s co-founder and CEO, Kirill Bigai, emphasized Wickers’ extensive financial expertise, noting how vital it is during Preply's global expansion phase. Bigai remarked, "Charlie’s track record and mastery in navigating critical business transitions will be a crucial asset as we enhance our financial foundation and pursue our mission to deliver transformative learning experiences."

As Preply accelerates its global presence, Wickers’ expertise will be decisive in ensuring robust financial planning and analysis as the platform aims to connect learners with expert tutors worldwide effectively. The global language learning market is rapidly expanding due to technological advancements and AI developments, positioning Preply at the forefront.

Recently, Preply introduced a suite of innovative AI tools aimed at aiding tutors and enhancing goal-driven language acquisition. Since its inception in 2012, Preply has effectively blended human-led lessons with technology, driving significant outcomes for learners. Wickers states, "Joining Preply at this pivotal moment is truly exciting. The company’s commitment to providing authentic connections between learners and expert tutors resonates with my values, and I look forward to scaling the business responsibly."

Wickers is highly regarded in the finance community, having been recognized as a CFO of the Year Honoree by the Puget Sound Business Journal in 2025. He currently holds an executive board position with The F Suite, showcasing his commitment to fostering financial excellence across industries.

Preply is on a mission to redefine language learning through personalized experiences, focused on creating significant progress and sustainable growth in language education. With over 100,000 tutors offering lessons in more than 90 languages from 180 nations, the platform is dedicated to enhancing the learning journey via innovative, AI-enabled solutions. As it continues to grow, the insights and leadership of Charlie Wickers will be pivotal in shaping Preply's future trajectory in the education landscape.

As Wickers steps into his new role effective immediately, the language learning community eagerly anticipates the changes and advancements that will follow under his financial leadership.