Expertise
Binu is an experienced financial services professional with deep experience in funds management, financial technology and regulation. He brings a diversity of experience, having worked in the UK, New Zealand and India.
Over the past 25 years he has founded, raised funding, commercialised and exited fintech startups and scaleups, led the institutional arm of global fund managers as well as set up and led innovation capabilities for financial regulators both in New Zealand (FMA, fintech and innovation) and in the UK (FCA, Digital assets).
Binu is a Beachhead Advisor to the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, providing support to Kiwi technology business setting up in the UK. He is also a sought-after mentor and advisor to a number of technology accelerators and incubators.
Having held a variety of roles, as board advisor, chair, chief executive and department head, both in private and public organisations, Binu brings not only multiple perspectives but also innovative and practical solutions for a variety of business challenges.
Binu Advises
- Fintech startups and scaleups
- Fund managers, banks and insurers
- Government and regulatory agencies
- Professional services firms
- Industry associations and research organisations
Experience Highlights
- Helped lead the establishment of the digital assets capability at the Financial Conduct Authority, UK as Head of Department, Digital Assets.
- Appointed as inaugural chair of the digital and innovation forum of the Council of Financial Regulators in New Zealand (members included the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the Financial Markets Authority, the Commerce Commission, the Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment). This forum discussed emerging trends at the confluence of technology and financial services, engaged industry and provided regulatory and policy direction, including on private digital assets, AI, CBDC’s etc.
- At the Financial Markets Authority New Zealand, established an online portal supported by six Government agencies (including the central bank and the regulator), for regulatory guidance to fintech founders looking to set up business in the country.
- Led the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority’s data and market intelligence department. Established a human intelligence program for thematic sector reviews.
- Appointed by the board of New Zealand’s largest corporate trustee business to restructure the business and successfully delivered operational efficiencies.
- Executed a change management project post an M&A deal between Suncorp Bank in Australia and Nikko Asset Management’s New Zealand operations.
- As chief executive of New Zealand’s largest investment research business, engineered a successful exit to the New Zealand Stock Exchange.
- Founded New Zealand’s first fully automated pension advice platform (Apple iTunes app). Raised funding, designed and launched in market.
- Founded New Zealand’s first annual fintech conference series and co-founded FintechNZ, the industry association.
- Extensive senior stakeholder experience, managing relationships with boards and trustees of financial services institutions, local Government agencies, not for profits, corporates and endowment funds.
Career History
Management roles
- Head of Department, Digital Assets, Financial Conduct Authority, UK (2022-2023)
- Specialist Lead, FinTech, Financial Markets Authority, NZ (2016-2022)
- Founder, SavvyKiwi (2013-2019)
- Head of Strategy & Institutional Business, Nikko Asset Management (2007-2013)
- Chief Executive Officer, FundSource Research (2001-2007)
- Senior Portfolio Manager, New Zealand Funds Management (1999-2001)
Governance roles
- Chair, Social Impact Investment Committee, ChildFund New Zealand (2019-2022)
- Chair, Digital & Innovation Forum, Council of Financial Regulators (2020-2022)
- Chair, International Relations Working Group, FintechNZ (2018-2022)
- Regulatory representative, Board of Blockchain New Zealand (2022)
Education
- Implementing Corporate Strategy, Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, USA
- MBA, CUSAT
- Bachelor of Technology, Electronics & Communication, MG University