Willem Strydom
LGT Wealth Management Australia has appointed Willem Strydom as its new Chief Technology Officer, strengthening its investment in the technology, data and AI capabilities that support its advisers and clients.
Based in Sydney, Willem will lead LGT Wealth Management Australia’s technology strategy and oversee the continued development of its platforms, engineering capabilities, data infrastructure and AI initiatives. His focus will be on helping advisers deliver even more tailored and consistent advice as clients’ needs become increasingly sophisticated.
Willem brings more than 26 years of technology experience to the role, including more than a decade in senior wealth management leadership positions. His expertise spans executive-level strategy and technology investment through to platform architecture and delivery. He joins LGT from Macquarie Wealth, where, as Director of Engineering, he led a 200-person technology function and oversaw the division’s platform modernisation and AI strategy. Earlier in his career, Willem held senior roles at Avaloq and Temenos, including work on the BT Panorama transformation for Westpac. He also founded and grew a South African software business to approximately 50 employees before its sale.
Commenting on his appointment, Willem said: “Good technology should feel like an integral part of good advice, not something added on. When the two work together seamlessly, clients receive a better experience.That approach is already part of the culture at LGT and was one of the things that attracted me to the firm. I look forward to working closely with the team, particularly on AI, where there is significant potential to create value for advisers and clients.”
Willem holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Pretoria, an MBA from Henley Business School, and a General Tax Diploma from the University of South Africa.
Mike Chisholm, Chief Executive Officer of LGT Wealth Management, said the appointment reflects how central technology has become to the firm’s core proposition: “Delivering high-quality advice increasingly depends on the technology, data and investment capabilities supporting our advisers. Willem will help us connect these capabilities more effectively across the business, giving our people better access to investment insights and client information, simplifying service processes and allowing them to spend more time with clients.”
“Clients expect sophisticated investment capabilities and a simple, responsive service experience tailored to their individual circumstances. Willem has extensive experience delivering wealth management technology at scale, combined with the commercial perspective of having founded and built a technology business.”
“This combination will be important as we continue investing in a secure and scalable platform that brings together LGT’s global capabilities with the local service and personal relationships our clients value.”