Digital banking platform Sandstone Technology has appointed Abhish Saha as its new CEO effective from August 8.
Saha (pictured) has been occupying the role of executive general manager for the past nine months and will be replacing Michael Phillipou, who has held the position of CEO since December 2020.
Saha has more than 25 years’ experience across both the technology and financial services industries including fintechs and CBA. He has worked with tier one banks across Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Saha has extensive financial, strategy, product and technology experience having worked within technical and product functions.
“I am honoured to be appointed CEO of Sandstone Technology and am excited to have the opportunity to lead one of Australia’s leading fintechs through this next period of growth,” Saha said. “I would like to thank the owners of the business and other key stakeholders for their vote of confidence in this appointment and the unwavering support of the executive team.”
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The fintech works with a number of aggregator and lender clients such Finsure and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank to streamline their digital offerings and better assist brokers and their clients.
Saha said Sandstone Technology was here for brokers and was looking to offer them further digitalisation processes.
“The online experience for brokers and being able to use those assets as a way of lightening their workload is very important to us,” he said. “Also finding the path of least resistance or the easiest path through an online experience through broker networks can really benefit for all parties involved.”
Saha said Sandstone Technology had a strong track record in delivering automation and digitisation programs across the banking sector with a particular focus on digital banking, including loan origination systems.
“Understanding the impact of manual processes, customer experience and how complex systems can be simplified for better user experiences has resulted in a string of proven, in-market successes for our customers across the globe,” he said. “I would also like to thank Michael for the strong foundation that has been laid and for leaving the organisation in a position of strength.”
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Outgoing CEO Phillipou said he joined Sandstone Technology because he believed in the mission of helping banks grow their businesses in the most efficient and compliant way.
“As a self-funded private company, competing with some of the largest enterprise financial technology providers in the world, I am exceptionally proud as I reflect on the incredible work the board, advisory committee, executive team and our broader team have executed,” Phillipou said.
“It now gives me great pleasure to hand over the role to Abhish. He is exceptionally well-suited and best qualified to work with the board & advisory committee to guide this wonderful 26-year-old organisation into its next phase of growth and success.”
