Global funds transaction network Calastone has appointed Cris Conde as the firm’s new Chairman of the Board.
Conde will be taking up his post with immediate effect working closely alongside Julien Hammerson, the CEO, to continue the growth trajectory of the business.
Late last year, Conde took up a seat on the Calastone board as a non-executive director, and invested in the privately held business.
Having spent 28 years at SunGard, Conde has a formidable track record of accelerating the growth of financial technology companies. It started in 1983, when Conde co-founded a financial technology software business, Devon Systems, serving the derivatives markets globally. After SunGard acquired it in 1987, Conde ran his business as a division of the parent company, growing it into one of the largest businesses at SunGard.
Following this success, Conde was subsequently promoted to run the entire SunGard business, which he took private in 2005 in a record-breaking USD11.3bn LBO transaction.
Conde stepped down from SunGard in May 2011, by which time the technology giant had revenues of $5.6bn, was ranked 380th on the Fortune 500 list and was the largest privately held business software and IT services company in the world.
He continues to serve as a senior member of the Partnership for NYC Fund’s Fintech incubator for software companies and is a senior adviser and director of several for-profit and non-profit organisations.
As Chairman of Calastone, Conde will work with the Board and senior management team to continue excellence in the global transaction network’s business.
Conde says: “I am delighted to take on the role of Chairman. This is an exciting time for Calastone and I am proud to be working with Julien and the management team as they execute the roadmap to strengthen the already accelerating growth trajectory, continuing to put customers first and deliver an excellent service.”
Julien Hammerson, Chief Executive of Calastone, says: “I am honoured Cris will be taking the role of Chairman. Since joining Calastone late last year, Cris has provided invaluable insight into growing a successful financial technology business. His experience and advice has been a great asset to the company, and elevating him to Chairman will only serve to strengthen Calastone at its core.”