Findex Group has named current chief operations officer, Tony Roussos and chief financial officer, Matt Games as its new co-CEOs.
According to Findex co-founder, Spiro Paule, the move has been made to bolster the firm’s leadership team to take advantage of changes in the wealth management landscape.
“The Hayne Royal Commission has had a seismic impact on Australia’s Wealth Management sector,” Mr Paule said.
“With ASIC citing that over 3,000 advisers have already left the wealth space and the major banks divesting their interests, the opportunity is ripe for Findex to lead the charge in a new way of managing wealth, focusing on customer value and transparency combined with best practice accounting services.”
After departing the CEO role, Mr Paule confirmed that he would continue to lead the firm’s overall strategic direction and oversee its expansion plans as managing director.
Findex is aiming to grow its wealth practice to over $50 billion in funds under administration over the next five years from $17 billion currently.
“As the largest provider of integrated wealth and accounting services in Australia, Findex is uniquely positioned to deliver on the vision [that] my brother Terry and I started this business with — to bring the two major hubs of a client relationship, the accountant and financial planner, together to increase value and create better outcomes for clients,” said Mr Paule.
“With the growth momentum we have behind us, our investment in leadership capability at this time will help the business capitalise on the strategic growth opportunities available whilst allowing me to step back from day-to-day operations.”
Mr Roussos and Mr Games have a combined 45 years of experience at Findex, and were said to have played a pivotal role in the firm’s transformational M&A strategy, having overseen 63 acquisitions with key operational input.
“As one of Findex’s first employees, it is a privilege to be given the opportunity to be custodian for the business as we look to activate our next stage of growth,” said Mr Roussos.
“Findex was started by two visionary founders, who saw an opportunity to bring together wealth and accounting services to deliver greater value for clients. Now, as Australia’s largest diversified financial services business, we’re continuing to tread our own path, building a model built around the needs of our clients.”
