#London #United Kingdom #Finastra #Chris Walters #Simon Paris

Finastra's Leadership Transition

Finastra, a prominent player in financial services software, has recently made headlines with its significant leadership change. On January 6, 2025, the company announced that Chris Walters would be taking over as the new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Simon Paris, who has held the position for nearly ten years. This transition marks an important moment in Finastra's journey, as it prepares for its next phase of growth and innovation.

A Decade of Transformative Leadership

Under Simon Paris's leadership, Finastra has achieved remarkable milestones that have solidified its reputation in the industry. Paris oversaw the merger of Misys and D+H in 2017, which laid the groundwork for Finastra's current business model. The company has since successfully positioned itself as a leader in the Open Finance movement, attracting a loyal customer base that spans over 8,000 clients in 130 countries, including 45 of the world’s top 50 banks.

Simon's tenure has also been marked by the company's impressive financial performance, including double-digit Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) growth and recognition as a leading technology company. Throughout his time, Finastra has garnered numerous accolades for its innovation and workplace culture, reinforcing its status as a top player in the financial technology space.

Chris Walters: A Wealth of Experience

Chris Walters joins Finastra with an extensive background in executive leadership positions across the technology and financial sectors. Before this appointment, he served as CEO of Pluralsight and Avantax, where he drove substantial performance improvements. His experience also includes roles as a partner at McKinsey & Company and COO of Bloomberg Industry Verticals Group. In his new role, Chris aims to build on the strong foundation established by Simon and lead the company into its next chapter.

In his statement upon taking the role, Chris expressed his enthusiasm: "I’m excited to join Finastra at this pivotal moment in its journey and am impressed by the significant progress that has been made during Simon’s leadership. I look forward to working with the talented team to drive sustainable growth and continue to deliver more value to our customers, team members, and investors." This commitment to maintaining the company's momentum while exploring new growth opportunities is critical as Finastra enters 2025.

Looking Ahead

As Finastra embarks on this new phase, Simon and Chris will collaborate closely to ensure a seamless transition. Simon reflected on his journey with the company, stating, "This journey with Finastra has been a privilege. Chris is a seasoned professional, and I am honored to 'pass the baton' to him. I leave incredibly proud of what Finastra has achieved so far and excited for the company's future under Chris's leadership."

Finastra is known not only for its innovative financial services software applications but also for its commitment to unlocking the potential of businesses and communities globally. The company is dedicated to accelerating the future of Open Finance through collaboration and technology, which has seen it gain the trust of approximately 8,100 financial institutions worldwide.

As Chris Walters settles into his new role, stakeholders and industry observers will be closely watching how he steers Finastra into a future filled with possibilities and continued success. With such a strong leadership team and a loyal customer base, the future looks promising for Finastra as it seeks to maintain its status as a leader in the dynamic financial services landscape.