I am writing to let you know that, after 22 years as the Aztec Group’s CEO, I have decided that now is the right time for me to move into a new role within the Group. As I’m sure you can imagine this has not been an easy decision for me, but it’s a decision which has what’s best for Aztec and our clients at its heart.
With that in mind, our Group Chair, Kathryn Purves, and I have spent a great deal of time discussing the future of the Aztec Group and what is required to take us forward on our next phase of growth. Therefore, I am delighted to announce that Kathryn will step into the CEO role from the beginning of the new financial year in April. In turn, I will become the Group’s new Chair – alongside my existing role as CEO of our wholly-owned data platform business, Lantern Limited – and will remain as committed and engaged as ever, but in a different role.
Kathryn has been Chair of the Aztec Group for the past year and a Non-Executive Director since 2020. In that time, she has come to know the business, our people, how we work and our culture incredibly well, and is as passionate as I am about the future of this business. Previously, Kathryn spent 12 years in global banking and investment management, before joining Partnership Life Assurance Company where she spent her latter three years as Chief Risk Officer and, between 2018 and 2020, Kathryn served as CEO of IFG Group. Her operational skills and experience mean she is perfectly placed to take on this role at this time, and I am certain she will lead Aztec with the same enthusiasm and conviction she has brought to her role as a Non-Executive Director. I can’t wait to see the business go from strength to strength under Kathryn’s leadership.
For my part, after a brief sabbatical I am looking forward to enjoying my future roles, both as Chair of the Aztec Group and at Lantern, for many years to come.
Last year, I spoke with many of you at our Art of Alternative conference as we looked back on Aztec’s 21 years in business. Then, I found it incredible to see how far we have come, the growth we have enjoyed thanks to the service we have provided to our clients, and the trust our clients have placed in us. Our expansion into new markets – both new jurisdictions and new services – the introduction of new technology, and most importantly to me the great people we have joining our business every week are why Aztec continues to outperform and evolve. It’s why this is a difficult decision for me, but also the right one for the business and at the right time.
As one of our valued clients, you know better than most that Aztec’s success has been built not on my leadership as CEO, but on the shared values held by our teams right across our jurisdictions. I have no doubt that while Aztec will continue to grow and evolve under Kathryn’s leadership, the strength of our people and our commitment to remaining the Bright Alternative will remain constant.
If you would like to discuss this news in any more detail, please do reach out to your Client Relationship Lead.
With kind regards
Edward