GFT, a leading international provider of IT services to the financial sector, today announces two promotions at the top of its UK business.
Christopher Ortiz, who has been with the company for ten years, has stepped up to the UK Managing Director role, whilst Graham Underwood, part of the team who established the business in London and MD of GFT UK since 2006, has become Group Operations Director.
Christopher Ortiz joined GFT following its acquisition of Deutsche Bank's Emagine in 2001. Originally based in Barcelona, he was seconded to the London office the following year and stayed, to become Sales Director. A native New Yorker, Chris became a British citizen earlier this year. He outlines his plans for the UK saying "GFT has weathered the economic storm well and we are now in a great position to grow our offering to the financial services sector. Regulation, mobile technology and the impact of social media are all areas of change for banks at the moment. Our aim is to provide the knowledge and experience to make that change happen".
Marika Lulay, GFT Group COO and Member of the Executive Board, commented, "Graham has had great success in leading GFT in the UK to remarkable growth. Having established the business in London in 2001, it has grown to contribute significantly to GFT's global revenues. Chris has run our business with Deutsche Bank in the UK for the past five years and laid the foundations for our expansion into the USA".