Apex Group Appoints Former Investec Bank Executive in Trio of Digital Banking Hires

Apex Group Ltd., a global financial services provider, announces today the appointment of Alistair Stuart to the newly created position of Head of Digital Banking. The Group’s Digital Banking leadership team is further strengthened with the hires of Ankit Shah as Head of Digital Banking Business Development and Neale Croutear-Foy as Chief Technology Officer, Digital Banking.

Apex Group delivers its banking services, including the digital banking platform, via subsidiary European Depositary Bank (“EDB”). In his new role, Alistair will lead planned enhancements to the EDB Digital Banking platform throughout 2021, which will disrupt the corporate banking sector by delivering a secure, fast and digital solution dedicated to corporate clients. EDB is already a leading provider of traditional Banking, Depositary and Custody services to Institutional Investors, Asset Managers, Management and Administration Companies.

Formerly Chief Operating Officer at Investec Bank Plc, Alistair worked on a number of key digital initiatives including building their new digital savings proposition. He has worked in a number of financial services companies around the world leading both high net worth and corporate client teams and businesses. He brings over three decades of experience in the banking industry and has held senior operational roles at international banks including Lloyds Banking Group, Westpac Group and RBS.

Ankit Shah joins the Group as Head of Digital Banking Business Development, from QIC Global (part of Qatar Insurance Company) where he was most recently Head of Investments and Treasury. Through his experience of over 15 years in the financial services Industry, Ankit brings wealth of experience in Treasury, Banking, Investment Management and Fund Operations. Prior to QIC, Ankit held various roles at AXA Investment Manager, UK Capital Investments Group and Grant Thornton. Ankit is qualified Chartered Accountant and holds ACCA.

Neale Croutear-Foy, appointed Chief Technology Officer for EDB Digital Banking, was most recently Head of Mobile Banking Management and Customer and Acquisition Journey Development at First Abu Dhabi Bank, the UAE’s largest bank. Neale brings decades of experience of leading the successful implementation of technology and regulatory strategies at international banks and financial services companies; including roles at JP Morgan, UBS, Nomura and HSBC amongst others.

These high calibre appointments further signify the Group’s commitment to attracting the best talent in the industry to deliver innovative solutions to its clients, underpinned by leading technology. This follows the launch of Apex’s ESG Ratings & Advisory service for private markets, the first of its kind to market, back in 2019. Apex’s growing portfolio of services reinforces the Group’s aspirations to become the service provider of choice in the financial services space delivering a single-source solution.

Peter Hughes, CEO and Founder, Apex Group comments: “2021 will be a critical year for our Digital Banking business and we are excited to welcome someone of Alistair’s calibre, experience and vision to lead the offering. We are committed to constantly evolving our product offering, and as our clients’ needs change, so too does our single-source solution. Alistair, Ankit and Neale bring an impressive track record of implementing successful digital banking strategies and we look forward to sharing more news in the coming months on the launch of our Digital Banking platform which form part of our single-source solution and will herald a significant shift in the way asset managers approach and undertake their corporate banking.”

Alistair Stuart, Head of Digital Banking, Apex Group adds: “I am proud to be joining Apex alongside Ankit and Neale, and to be part of launching a solution that will solve the challenges asset managers and corporates currently face when it comes to their business banking. The Digital Bank sits at the heart of Apex’s pioneering single-source solution, and the upcoming enhancements to the platform will ensure we continue to provide innovative solutions for clients, and will differentiate our offering as an independent global financial services provider.”