Seccl hires David Ferguson to lead as co-CEOs move into new roles

All change at wealthtech provider Seccl, which yesterday announced some big changes to its leadership team, including the appointment of a new CEO.

Previously the CEO and founder of Nucleus Financial, David Ferguson will be joining to take the top job on 4 April subject to FCA approval.

His arrival also means that Seccl’s existing co-CEOs Sam Handfield-Jones and Dave Harvey will be moving to new roles, with Seccl founder Harvey will instead focus on tech and product development.

Handfield-Jones, who initially joined as part of Octopus Group’s £10m takeover of Seccl in 2019, will be moving into an advisory role.

“Investment platforms have made decent use of technology and automation over the last 15-20 years. But that’s now history. The new opportunity is to redefine the way technology is used to radically improve customer outcomes and reach even more people,” said incoming CEO Ferguson.

“Seccl has already marked itself out as having the outstanding technology in our field and, after meeting Simon [Rogerson, Octopus Group founder and CEO] and Ruth, I became convinced that this was the perfect home for me in the next stage of my career.”

As well as previously leading Nucleus Financial to over £20bn in assets under administration, Ferguson has also served as chair of Fintech Scotland and as a Fintech Envoy for the Treasury.

Ruth Handcock, chair of Seccl and CEO of Octopus Investments, thanked Harvey and Handfield-Jones for their contribution, adding that Seccl now has £0.5bn in assets under administration and 80 employees, versus just 13 in 2019.

“Thanks to their efforts, Seccl is fast becoming the de facto choice for advisers and fintechs alike – a trend that we are confident David will strengthen,” she said.

Ferguson’s first move in-post will be to open an Edinburgh office to complement Seccl’s existing offices in Bath and London.