Simon Paris is transforming the fintech landscape as CEO of Finastra, advocating for open finance and innovative collaboration in the sector.
- Since June 2018, Paris has led Finastra, one of the largest companies in fintech, towards significant advancements in open finance.
- His extensive career, from McKinsey consultant to key roles in major tech firms, underpins his current leadership at Finastra.
- Paris has driven the development of FusionFabric.cloud, Finastra’s open platform, marking a significant step towards open finance.
- His commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace has earned recognition, strengthening Finastra’s leadership in the industry.
Simon Paris, the CEO of Finastra, has been pivotal in guiding the company through an era of open finance, transforming how financial technology is both viewed and utilised. Since stepping into his role in June 2018, he has been a strong promoter of innovation and industry collaboration, leading Finastra to be at the forefront of change within the financial services sector.
Paris’s career trajectory is marked by significant achievements that began at McKinsey & Company, where he developed expertise in corporate strategy through substantial projects like Latin American IPOs and a transnational consumer goods merger in the EMEA region. His journey continued at Infor Global Solutions, where he rose through the ranks to become Vice President of EMEA Global Accounts. Later, at SAP, Paris’s roles included leading positions such as VP of Large Enterprise Accounts and President of Industry Cloud, showcasing his adeptness in managing large-scale operations and strategic growth.
Upon joining Finastra in June 2015, originally known as Misys, Paris quickly rose to President and Chief Sales Officer within a year, later becoming CEO by June 2018. Under his leadership, Finastra has significantly contributed to the fintech industry by driving the vision of open finance. His leadership facilitated the launch and expansion of FusionFabric.cloud, an open platform that has become a cornerstone of financial innovation since 2017. “We are changing the way in which financial software is developed, deployed and consumed,” Paris articulated, highlighting his ambition for the company.
Beyond Finastra, Paris chairs the World Trade Board, bridging leaders across global industries and advocating for forward-thinking policies. His commitment to diversity and inclusivity is evident in Finastra’s accolades, such as the Vista CEO Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG). These achievements underscore his belief that technology should drive not just growth but also societal betterment. He is a director at Thomson Reuters, leveraging his experience to influence broader financial technology discourse.
Paris firmly believes in a future where financial services embrace openness across technology, APIs, and ecosystems, as captured in his statement, “The future of finance is open.” His leadership is dedicated to using technology for financial inclusion, aiming to enhance lives globally. Under his guidance, Finastra has garnered numerous awards, and Paris himself has been lauded as a top innovator within the industry, reflecting his forward-thinking approach and the company’s successes.
Simon Paris is shaping a new era in financial services, where openness and innovation lead the industry towards inclusivity and collaboration.
