FinTechAppointments

Matthew Briers is to step down from his role as CFO of leading FinTech Wise to focus on making a full recovery from a road accident.

Briers joined from Google in 2015 and led its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in July 2021.

He returned to work a year ago after he was run over by a bus while riding his bike.

Briers said he would leave his role in March 2024 “to focus on making a full recovery”.

The cross-border payments company said a comprehensive search for a new CFO will commence immediately.

More than 16 million people and businesses use Wise, which processes on average £9 billion in transactions every month.

“After almost eight years it’s time for me to think about my life after Wise,” he said. 

“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved in these early chapters at Wise and could not be more excited about what is ahead for the business. Wise is growing fast, with a massive opportunity in front of us, and we’ve bucked the trend by working out how to do this profitably.

Digital bank to create 150 jobs in Liverpool

“Wise will likely have many CFOs in its first century and this is simply me starting the process of handing over the reins to the next one. But some of you may know that a year ago I returned back to work at Wise after a quite horrible accident where I went under the wheels of a bus, and so, with this in mind, my focus will shift to making a full recovery.

“Wise has been the most exhilarating and worthwhile experience of my working life. I love my team, and the leaders I work with every day. The customers and shareholders are in great hands.

“To support an orderly transition I plan to remain as CFO into the new year.”

Kristo Käärmann, CEO, said: “Matt joined us at the time when only around 500,000 people had used Wise and we were losing money. He helped us scale up into a global service that today 16 million people and businesses around the world know they can count on.

“I will always be grateful that Matt decided to jump on and build this rocket ship with us. His contributions will continue to shape Wise for years to come.”

David Wells, chair, added: “I benefited from watching Matt work at close quarters, and wish him a full and fast recovery from his accident last year.”

Online Safety Bill ‘could turn phones into surveillance tools’