Upvest Hires Former Starling Bank Executive

Upvest, a Berlin-based investment infrastructure provider, has appointed Symmie Swil, formerly of Starling Bank, as its UK General Manager to spearhead its growth strategy in the region.

Upvest, which processes over 2 million investment orders weekly across 20 markets, aims to secure partnerships with three UK clients by the end of the year. The company provides an Investment API that enables financial institutions to offer investment products, including ETFs, stocks, and mutual funds.

"The UK has a strong legacy of financial innovation, yet there's still so much untapped potential to empower individuals in taking control of their wealth," said Symmie Swil. "Our solution makes it easy for any financial institution - whether it's a fintech or a bank - to offer compelling and affordable investment opportunities to their end users."

Swil brings nearly 20 years of financial sector experience to Upvest, including her tenure at Starling Bank, where she significantly expanded the SME banking division. Upvest plans to establish a new UK headquarters in London's Shoreditch district and expand its London-based team to approximately 50 employees.

Upvest sees substantial growth potential in the UK market, with estimations indicating that approximately 60% of UK adults do not actively invest, representing a significant investment gap. The company plans to enhance its product offerings with localized tax and pension wrappers, such as ISAs and SIPPs, and expand into new asset classes, including derivatives, bonds, and ELTIFs. Martin Kassing, CEO of Upvest, said, "Symmie is the ideal person to lead our UK efforts. With her unique combination of banking and fintech experience, she has a deep understanding of our clients' objectives and the role technology can play in achieving them."