Axxsys Consulting appoints CEO to support next stage of growth

Axxsys Consulting, a business and technology consultancy firm for the financial services sector, has appointed Alix Cheema as its CEO. Cheema, who formally ascended to the newly created role on the 1st of May, will work closely together with senior partners Philip Ritchie, Chris Georgilis and Klaus Krarup as the consultancy continues its international expansion drive. 

Founded in 2003, Axxsys Consulting is a specialist consulting firm for the investment management sector, providing a range of services from advisory, managing change and operational support. The firm’s client roster includes some of the world’s largest asset managers and hedge fund players – they are served through Axxsys Consulting’s offices in London, Toronto, New York and Copenhagen, which launched last month.

The decision to appoint a CEO follows, according to Philip Ritchie, Director and Chief Commercial Officer, from the firm’s “significant growth ambition” for the coming years, he said. “Our ability to be recognised as a global top tier implementation consultancy [the firm was voted a top three consulting firm in the European funds industry in 2017], coupled with new implementation relationships across a number of the leading providers of software to the financial industry, has underlined our strength and scale. We are now positioned for significant growth.”

With the appointment of a dedicated Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the partner team aims at ensuring that the growth agenda is made a strategic priority in the board, and at making sure that there is more accountability regarding the execution of the roadmap. Cheema, who been working at Axxsys for over a year, has also been tasked with leading all internal operations of Axxsys Consulting, including business development, client management, people and recruitment.

“Alix has a strong understanding of our services, client needs and expectations,” said Ritchie. “His strategic outlook, transformation experience, passion for servicing customers at a global scale, and his authentic team player attitude make him a great fit to the role,” he continued. 

Cheema will lead the firm’s London office, as well as the three international hubs. The expansion into Denmark was Axxsys’ latest move, following earlier ventures into Canada (2013) and the United States (2014) – with a market size of over $58 billion the globe’s largest consulting market. “I am very excited and proud to be leading such a forward thinking consultancy. We have a strong foundation and are well positioned to increase our reputation as a world class next generation consultancy,” commented Cheema.

Prior to joining Axxsys Consulting, Cheema held senior positions across the financial services sector. Most recently, he was Transformation Programme Director at M&G Investments, leading a multi-year strategy designed to simplify, digitise and transform the business. Previously he held senior positions at Deutsche Bank and Lloyds Banking Group, and worked for consultancy and technology firm Accenture.