After a string of top-level departures Trustees Executors (TE) has continued the rebuild phase with a couple of senior technology-focused hires confirmed last week
The Wellington-headquartered trustee and back-office admin firm has appointed Josh Sinclair as head of transformation while contracting former FNZC, head of digital, Chris Bunce.
Sinclair, also previously with stockbroking firm FNZC as lead digital, has taken on the newly-created permanent position while Bunce has initially committed to at least 12 months in a group strategy role.
Recently-appointed TE chief, Ryan Bessemer, said the dual appointments would significantly boost the group’s “innovation and transformation resources”.
“We are building a team to focus on digital service enhancement for investors and fund managers,” Bessemer said.
He said TE was also exploring potential partnerships with fintech start-ups in Australasia to introduce cutting-edge solutions for investors and fund managers.
“We are keen to be involved on either a client or investment basis with these start-ups,” Bessmer said.
He said the aim was to develop flexible, cloud-based ‘platform as a service’ (PAAS) financial services solutions using new technologies.
“We are also taking particular interest in both financial services governance and technology governance trends in other jurisdictions, so we can be proactive to what is coming down the pipeline to NZ,” Bessemer said. “TE truly believe that NZ could be an innovation hub for digital technologies, because we have the agility as a country plus great access to universities and the next generation of the digital literate.”
Bessemer, a former chief operating officer at Australian firm Equity Trustees, replaced long-time TE chief, Rob Russell, this May following a spate of executive exits across the group.
Early in June TE also appointed Matthew Brand, as head of governance and oversight, and Paul Waaka, as head of business development who filled in vacancies left by Mel Hewitson and David Mansfield, respectively.
As well as restocking the executive shelves, TE has begun filling board vacancies with Mark Darrow joining recent recruit, Matt Sale, and David Neidhart as director. Darrow swapped out with Andrew Scott-Howman who resigned as at June 15.
However, Scott-Howman remains as nominee NZ shareholder for TE’s ultimate owner, Sterling Grace.
Bessmer said TE was also searching for a new independent chair.