Paul Samuel

Paul has worked in investment management and banking for over 30 years. He has held leadership roles at BGI and Kleinwort Benson, and led transformation projects at both firms as well as at BlackRock and Brunel Pension Partnership. He co-founded Aprexo, a data mastering platform sold to Carne in 2022. His expertise spans portfolio management, investment operations, data, AIFM operations and business transformation.

Prior to his current advisory work, Paul served as Managing Director at Carne Global Financial Services, having joined following Carne's acquisition of Aprexo in 2022. In this role he focused on post-acquisition integration, data management, product strategy, and system procurement.

Before founding Aprexo, Paul worked as a consultant on a series of major transformation assignments. At BlackRock he led the integration of Credit Suisse's ETF business following its acquisition, which involved fund structures in Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Ireland, and a platform migration to Aladdin. He also undertook assignments at State Street Global Services – focused on transfer agency and client money regulatory compliance – and at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership – where he managed the renegotiation of investment management mandates with its affiliate, Scottish Widows.

Earlier, Paul was Interim COO at Kleinwort Benson Bank following its acquisition by RHJ International. At KB he led a business turnaround across the London, Jersey, and Guernsey operations. He transformed the operational leadership team, initiated the replacement of legacy banking systems, integrated Close Brothers International into a unified reporting framework, and significantly improved the risk and control environment.

Paul spent twelve years at Barclays Global Investors, where he held a series of senior leadership positions including Managing Director, Head of Europe Operations and Global Head of Change Services. During this time he led a team of over 200 people, managing a £30 million budget. Before moving into operational roles, Paul led BGI's portfolio transition business for four years, achieving a six-fold increase in revenue and establishing BGI as a leader in transition management services.

Paul holds an MA in Economics from the University of Cambridge, ACIB from LIBF, and is a Fellow of the RSA. Paul was the chair of the board of Camden Plus Credit Union before its merger into London Mutual Credit Union, and served as a Governor of the University of East London.

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