Apex Group has announced the appointment of Tom Bennett as its new Global Head of Fintech, a strategic move aimed at accelerating the firm’s digital transformation across capital markets, private investments, and digital asset ecosystems. The appointment signals a deeper push into financial technology innovation as the firm expands its influence in both traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) sectors.

Apex Group, a global financial services provider with approximately $3.1 trillion in assets under management (AUM), stated that Bennett will spearhead its fintech initiatives by enhancing digital capabilities across multiple financial segments. His mandate includes advancing digital onboarding, developing AI-based tools, improving capital-raising infrastructure, refining risk management systems, and launching a new sustainability platform.

A Future-Ready Strategy for Fintech Integration

Commenting on his new role, Bennett outlined an ambitious vision for Apex Group’s fintech evolution. “Our goal is to build a future-ready platform for TradFi and DeFi with digital infrastructure, from tokenisation to AI-driven tools,” he said. His appointment reflects Apex’s growing focus on bridging the gap between legacy financial systems and emerging technologies, creating integrated services for institutional clients and investors worldwide.

Bennett’s leadership is expected to accelerate the firm’s existing fintech roadmap while unlocking new service offerings tailored to venture capital firms, asset managers, and private market participants navigating digital transformation.

Bennett’s Career Path: Innovation at the Core

Bennett joins Apex Group from Aztec Group, a fund administration firm where he served as Group Head of Innovation for four years. At Aztec, he led product development and digital strategy with a strong focus on automation and client-centric technology. Before that, Bennett worked at BT Group, where he managed large-scale enterprise technology operations. He later joined real estate giant JLL as Chief Operating Officer for Central London Markets, giving him a robust background in operational strategy and market-driven innovation.

His experience straddles multiple sectors—from telecom to real estate to fund administration—equipping him with the cross-industry expertise needed to drive fintech disruption at scale.

A Year of Strategic Hires and Acquisitions

Bennett’s arrival follows a series of strategic moves by Apex Group aimed at reshaping its technology ecosystem. In May last year, the firm recruited Ken Fullerton, a former SS&C GlobeOp executive, as Global Head of Operational Transformation. Fullerton’s mandate focused on boosting operational efficiency and digital process integration—an effort now complemented by Bennett’s fintech-driven approach.

More recently, in April, Apex acquired FTS Tech (also known as Flow), a private markets software provider managing $17 billion in assets. The acquisition built upon an earlier partnership formed in November, which culminated in the creation of Apex Ventures, a digital platform tailored for venture capital managers. That deal significantly strengthened Apex’s technology stack for fund management, and Bennett is expected to further build on these innovations.

Expanding Digital Capabilities in a Competitive Landscape

Apex’s latest initiatives are part of a broader trend in financial services where firms seek to harness fintech to drive client value, operational resilience, and compliance efficiency. By incorporating AI, blockchain, and cloud-native technologies, Apex is positioning itself as a competitive alternative to more traditional fund administrators and service providers.

Bennett’s new responsibilities will span multiple fronts—from platform architecture and strategic partnerships to product development and client onboarding. Key priorities will include:

• Tokenisation: Transforming physical and financial assets into blockchain-based tokens to improve transparency and liquidity.

• AI-Driven Tools: Integrating artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, automated reporting, and compliance monitoring.

• Digital Onboarding: Streamlining client integration with secure, automated, and user-friendly digital processes.

• Sustainability Platforms: Delivering ESG-aligned solutions that track environmental and social metrics, aligning with investor priorities and regulatory trends.

The Road Ahead: Aligning Fintech with Growth Strategy

With institutional investors demanding greater transparency, speed, and data-driven insights, Apex Group’s push into fintech marks a pivotal step in meeting these expectations. The firm’s expanding digital ecosystem is poised to offer end-to-end solutions across fund administration, portfolio management, and investor servicing.

Bennett’s appointment aligns with this strategic focus and highlights the company’s intent to lead in a market where agility and technological innovation increasingly determine competitive edge.

By bridging fintech innovation with traditional financial infrastructure, Apex Group aims to create scalable, secure, and future-proof solutions that resonate across a broad spectrum of clients—from venture capital firms to global asset managers.

Conclusion

Tom Bennett’s appointment as Global Head of Fintech underscores Apex Group’s commitment to redefining its digital offering and embedding advanced technologies across its services. Backed by a strong acquisition strategy and leadership bench, the firm is well-positioned to expand its fintech footprint and deliver integrated, future-ready platforms across both traditional and decentralized finance landscapes.