Aztec names ex-Vanguard Europe chief as interim CEO

Aztec Group has appointed Sean Hagerty as executive chairman and interim chief executive, succeeding Kathryn Purves after five years on the firm’s board.

Hagerty has served on the Aztec Group board as chair since June 2025 and is the former chief executive of Vanguard Europe.

He spent 27 years at the Vanguard Group, where he gained  experience leading global investment and fund services businesses, Aztec Group said.

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“I’m excited to support Aztec in my interim role as it continues its impressive evolution into a multi-asset class, multi-product, global business,” Hagerty said upon his appointment. “The group is uniquely positioned to deliver best-in-class service and to build on its role as a premium global partner to private markets clients.”

UK-based Aztec Group is a leading provider of fund and corporate services, administering more than €750bn (£659.9bn) in assets across 450 funds.

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“I would like to thank Kathryn for everything she has brought to the business over the last five years, initially as a non-executive director, then as chair, and for the past two and a half years as chief executive officer,” said Edward Moore, founder of Aztec Group.

“Since joining the group as chair, Sean has already brought a fresh perspective to the board. His leadership, strategic insight and commitment to excellence, combined with his deep appreciation of Aztec’s culture,  make him well qualified to lead the business as interim chief executive officer while we search for a permanent successor.”

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