Aztec Group, a premium global provider of private markets services, has today announced that Sean Hagerty, who has served on the Aztec Group Board as Chair since June 2025, will take on the role of Executive Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer as Kathryn Purves steps down as Chief Executive Officer after five years on Aztec’s Board.
Under Kathryn’s tenure as CEO, Aztec’s growth strategy is well underway with strong momentum across the business. Aztec is now entering an exciting new chapter – one focused on sustaining strong operational performance and realising its ambition to be a global leader in private markets services. In recent years the Group has built out its senior leadership team with a number of key hires and has accelerated its expansion across Europe and the U.S.
Sean, who has served on the Aztec Group Board as Chair since June 2025, and is former Chief Executive of Vanguard Europe, brings more than 25 years of experience leading global investment and fund services businesses. During a 27-year career at Vanguard, he oversaw rapid growth and deepened the firm’s footprint across key markets.
“In the last few years we have overseen a period of meaningful transformation at Aztec, and the Group is well positioned for continued success,” said Edward Moore, Founder of Aztec Group. I would like to thank Kathryn for everything she has brought to the business over the last five years in her role as a Non-Executive Director, then Chair and for the last two and a half years as CEO. With a strong foundation and momentum in place, now is the right moment to transition to the next phase of leadership from founder-led to founder-inspired as Aztec approaches its twenty-fifth anniversary.”
Edward continued, “Since joining the Group as Chair, Sean has already brought a fresh perspective to the Board. His leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to excellence – combined with his deep appreciation for Aztec’s culture – make him well qualified to lead our business as interim CEO while we search for a permanent replacement.”
“I’m excited to support Aztec in my interim role as it continues its impressive evolution into a multi- asset class, multi-product, global business,” said Sean Hagerty. “The Group is uniquely positioned to deliver best-in-class service and build on its role as a premium global partner to private markets clients. I would like to thank Kathryn for her leadership and our effective handover period. I look forward to working with Edward, the founder of Aztec, the Board, the leadership team, and our talented colleagues across the business to capture the opportunities ahead.”
As it enters its next chapter, Aztec remains focused on delivering best-in-class service and reinforcing its position as a premium global partner to private markets clients.
