Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

ClearToken Depository Limited

ClearToken’s vision is to accelerate institutional adoption within digital asset markets through the development of regulated post trade market infrastructure that serves to bring transparency, efficiency, and stability to the digital asset ecosystem. We are offering a unique opportunity to an individual with a keen interest in leading industry transformation by applying traditional concepts to innovative technologies.

As blockchain advances financial markets, ClearToken Group seeks to leverage the principles and practices of traditional market structure with modern capabilities and provide a regulated framework for clearing, settlement, payments, and registry services for digital assets.

ClearToken Depository Limited is an FCA-regulated entity within the ClearToken Group, operating the regulated depository product suite: CT Settle, CT Pay, and CT Register. We are looking for a commercially driven leader to take ownership of this entity, build out its product capabilities, grow its revenue base, and establish it as critical market infrastructure for the institutional digital asset ecosystem.

Reporting Line

The CEO of ClearToken Depository Limited reports directly to the Group Chief Executive Officer, as well as being accountable to the Board of Directors of ClearToken Depository Limited.

As a subsidiary within the ClearToken Group, the CEO also operates within the Group governance framework.

Responsibilities and Duties

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate a clear strategic vision and commercial direction for ClearToken Depository Limited in alignment with FCA regulatory requirements, Group objectives, and market demand.
• Operate within and contribute to the Group operating model, leveraging shared services and infrastructure while maintaining appropriate entity-level operational independence to meet FCA requirements.
• Own accountability for the firm's compliance with all applicable regulatory and anti-money laundering requirements, setting the tone from the top and ensuring that compliance and financial crime prevention are embedded in the firm's culture, strategy, and day-to-day operations; Own responsibility for operational resilience, business continuity, and incident management within the Depository, coordinating with Group operational functions as appropriate.
• Own the Depository's operational frameworks, policies, and service delivery, ensuring these meet FCA regulatory obligations and are consistent with Group standards; engaging with Group ExCo as appropriate to facilitate alignment and the effective delivery of shared services.
• Own accountability for material outsourcing and intra-group service arrangements, ensuring they meet FCA expectations and that appropriate governance, monitoring, and exit provisions are in place.
• Maintain accountability for the Depository's technology strategy, infrastructure, and cyber resilience, coordinating with the Group CIO to leverage Group technology capabilities and ensure the delivery of secure, scalable, and reliable platforms for CT Settle, CT Pay, and CT Register.
• Own accountability for the safeguarding of client funds in accordance with the Payment Services Regulations 2017 and the FCA's safeguarding requirements, ensuring robust reconciliation, record-keeping, and reporting arrangements are in place and operating effectively.
• Lead the Depository executive team in implementing strategic initiatives to enhance the Depository’s role in digital asset settlement, payments, and registry services.
• Manage the Depository’s financial resources prudently, ensuring sufficient capital and liquidity to support its settlement, payment, and registry functions.
• Monitor financial performance and profitability, making informed decisions to safeguard the Depository’s financial stability and sustainability;
• Chair the Depository’s Executive Committee;
• Serves as an Executive Director on the Depository Board and other relevant boards and Board Committees from time to time;
• Represent the Depository in external forums and events and promote its reputation and value proposition in the market;
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the Depository and the Group and attract, develop, and retain high-performing talent.

Commercial and Product Leadership

• Own the commercial strategy and revenue growth of the Depository, coordinating with the Group Chief Commercial Officer to align with Group-wide commercial priorities and leveraging Group resources, market intelligence, and distribution capabilities to identify and convert market opportunities for CT Settle, CT Pay, and CT Register.
• Develop the Depository’s client pipeline, manage key client relationships, and lead commercial negotiations with participants and counterparties;
• Drive product innovation and roadmap development in response to market needs, competitive dynamics, and regulatory evolution;
• Identify and evaluate strategic partnerships, distribution channels, and new revenue opportunities to scale the Depository’s services;
• Establish pricing strategies and commercial terms that balance market competitiveness with sustainable economics.

Day-to-day

• Engage regularly with Group functional leads (COO, CRO, CIO, CLO, CFO) to ensure effective coordination of shared services and alignment on operational priorities
• Develop and implement the Depository’s business plan and budget, monitor and report on financial performance, and ensure the optimal allocation and utilisation of resources;
• Lead and manage the Depository’s operations, products, services, and projects, ensuring high-quality, efficient, and innovative solutions to clients;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with the Depository’s stakeholders, including the FCA, auditors, clients, industry peers, media, and the public, and represent the Depository in external forums and events;

How this role fits into the bigger picture

As the CEO of ClearToken Depository Limited, you are responsible for the growth of this business, setting the strategic direction, commercial ambition, and values of the entity, in alignment with the Group’s overall mission, values and goals. You report directly to the Group Chief Executive Officer and work closely with the Group ExCo to ensure alignment across the ClearToken Group. You oversee the design and implementation of the Depository’s frameworks, policies, and procedures, ensuring they adhere to FCA requirements and the highest industry standards. You are the driving force behind the commercial success of CT Settle, CT Pay, and CT Register — scaling these from launch-stage products into established market infrastructure. You ensure that the Depository meets its regulatory obligations and maintains the trust and confidence of its stakeholders. You represent the Depository externally, promoting its role and contribution to the digital asset markets. You are accountable to the Board of Directors, and through the Group CEO to the Group Board, for the performance, growth, and sustainability of the Depository.

Qualifications and Skills

• An MBA or equivalent degree from a reputable institution, or equivalent senior leadership experience
• Sufficient and demonstrable senior management leadership in financial services, with a strong preference for demonstrable skills growing settlement, payments, custody, or registry/transfer agency services
• Proven track record of building and scaling products or business lines within a regulated financial services environment
• Demonstrable commercial acumen: experience in business development, client acquisition, revenue growth, and go-to-market execution
• Understanding of digital asset markets, blockchain technology, and the institutional adoption landscape
• In-depth knowledge of the FCA regulatory framework, including the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR), payment services safeguarding requirements, and experience operating within or engaging with UK financial regulation
• Understanding of settlement finality, payment systems, and registry/tokenisation concepts as applicable to digital assets, including anti-money laundering and financial crime requirements
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and across cultures
• Ability to identify and evaluate opportunities to leverage AI and emerging technologies to enhance operational efficiency, resilience, and competitive positioning, balanced with responsible adoption
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive innovation and transformation
• High ethical standards, integrity, and accountability, with a commitment to the Depository’s and Group’s vision and values

Location and Commitment

• London, on-site/hybrid
• Full-time

Regulatory Context

ClearToken Depository Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It is anticipated that the new FCA cryptoasset regulatory regime will be implemented in 2027. With effect from that implementation, the Depository is expected to be required to operate within the full Senior Managers and Certifications Regime (SM&CR) framework applicable to FCA-regulated cryptoasset businesses. The CEO will be subject to the SM&CR, holding Senior Management Functions as approved by the FCA, expected to include SMF1 (Chief Executive) and SMF3 (Executive Director). The role will carry associated Prescribed Responsibilities under SM&CR and personal accountability under the SM&CR Duty of Responsibility in respect of all areas within the CEO's prescribed senior management functions.

ClearToken Depository Limited — FCA Regulated