Fintech investor Chrysalis appoints industry veteran Margaret O’Connor to board

Listed investment firm Chrysalis has had a bumper year, thanks to its investments in fintechs Klarna and Wise, and has now strengthened its board.

Margaret O’Connor has been appointed as non-executive director, bringing with her over thirty years of experience in the finance industry.

O’Connor was a founding member of Mastercard Asia Pacific—and later helped establish Mastercard’s New Technology Communications group in New York—contributed to the Financial Times and is a board member of Namibian payment network PayToday and pan-African funding network Launch Africa.

“We are delighted to welcome Margaret to the Board of Chrysalis Investments,” Andrew Haining, chairman of Chrysalis, said.

“She brings a wealth of knowledge and relevant experience, especially in the technology sector, which will prove invaluable to the Company.”

O’Connor’s main area of expertise covers disruptive industries, including AI, big data, AR and blockchain.

Chrysalis’ newest board member will help support the investment fund through new investments and continue to reinforce its current position and investment perspective.

Earlier this year, the investment fund revealed that it had doubled its total net assets in the six months running up to the end of March 2021. 

Investments in fintechs like Klarna,Starling Bank and Wise are paying off handsomely for Chrysalis, with total net assets up 108.1 per cent from £542m to £1.128bn.

In March, Chrysalis also raised £300m to continue its investment approach and participate in follow-on opportunities. It today says one potential new investment is currently in the late stages of due diligence with further investments in earlier stages.

Since March, Chrysalis has also noted several additional deals, including a £35m follow-on investment in Starling Bank, €30m in Wefox and £75m in Smart Pension just earlier this month.