Aztec Group News

Aztec Group appoints two Non Executive Directors to the Board

Friday, August 20, 2010

The Aztec Group, the independent fund administrator with offices in the Channel Islands, Luxembourg and more recently the UK, has appointed two new Non Executive Directors to the board - Richard Hills and Patrick Gale.

These appointments will support the ambitious growth plans and the entrepreneurial spirit of the Group, which has shown significant success since its launch in 2001. The Aztec Group now employs over 80 staff across four locations providing first class fund administration services to private equity and real estate funds.

Richard Hills is currently involved in the launch of a Guernsey-based hedge fund. In addition to serving as a director of three UK listed investment trusts he also acts as the investment advisor to the Lord Hanson Charitable Foundation. Richard spent a number of years undertaking directorship roles at Henderson Administration plc, before moving to Aberdeen Trust plc where he was Chairman of the Investment Committee and Head of UK equities. At Aberdeen he was instrumental in launching their New Asia Fund, the first external fund Goldman Sachs ever sponsored. Richard then went on to found Argyll Investment Management Ltd and wrote the highly successful “Hedge Funds – An Introduction to Skill Based Investment”. During his career Richard has used his entrepreneurial skills widely. He was a founder director of the innovative, internet-based FairFx Plc which supplies low-cost travel currency, and he has also worked as a consultant with various investment businesses providing advice on strategy.

Patrick Gale has worked for a number of major technology companies and financial institutions at senior and board level. In 1995 Patrick joined the Misys Group where he became Marketing Director for the UK banking division with responsibility for global marketing, sales and the development of core banking applications. In 2003 Patrick was involved in the merger of five retail financial services businesses to create Sesame Group. Whilst as Chief Executive, the Sesame Group became the largest distributor of financial services in the UK. He latterly led the MBO of Sesame Group, which subsequently resulted in a trade buyer- Friends Provident- coming to the fore. Patrick played a key role in the sale and the smooth transition of the business to new shareholders. Since 2008 Patrick has supported a number of major insurance businesses in a Non Executive Director capacity, including Halifax Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and most recently the UK based Insurance Group, Aegon.

Edward Moore, Aztec Group’s co-founder and CEO, said. “We are delighted that Richard and Patrick have agreed to join us. Both bring a high degree of technical competence in the fields of financial services, funds and technology and a deep insight into the strategies required in today’s business environment. We look forward to their contribution in helping to shape the future of the Aztec Group”