Padua expands technical team with CFS hire

Padua Solutions has poached an individual from Colonial First State to take on a newly created role focused on overseeing its technical capabilities. 

Previously with CFS, Dimitri Diamantes has been appointed as a senior technical services manager for Padua Solutions, a newly minted role at the firm designed to further support its growth within the advice market.

Reporting to Rudy Haddad, the head of data, research and technical advice, he will play a key role in supporting the firm’s ongoing growth as it seeks to further solidify its position in the market.

Prior to joining Padua, Diamantes held a number of senior regulatory and compliance roles across the financial services sector, including his most recent role at CFS where he was the senior manager of IT regulatory obligations.

Additionally, Diamantes worked with the Australian Retail Credit Association (ARCA) as general manager of policy and regulation, AMP as senior manager of regulatory change, and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) as head of policy, among others.

With almost 20 years of experience in the sector, Haddad said Diamantes’ technical and regulatory expertise make him “ideally positioned to lead the integration of our software, and technical solutions”.

“We look forward to Dimitri playing a key role in strengthening our offering to advisers and licensees as we continue to grow and evolve in a rapidly changing industry,” Haddad said.

Speaking on the announcement, Padua co-founder and co-chief executive Matt Esler told Money Management that this appointment reinforces the firm’s position within the financial advice sector while enhancing Padua’s ability to deliver “high-quality, compliant advice solutions” to the profession.

“As a trusted technical expert in the financial services industry, Dimitri’s appointment reinforces Padua’s commitment to being a thought leader in the advice landscape and enhances our credibility with licensees, advisers, and regulators,” Esler said.

“Dimitri will play a pivotal role in ensuring Padua’s software continues to reflect the latest legislative changes, best practice strategy formulation, and adviser feedback – linking the needs of the field with the power of our platform.

“Dimitri’s passion for innovation and his alignment with Padua’s vision to make financial advice more accessible, affordable and high-quality made him the clear choice to help lead our next phase of growth.”