Melbourne-based Pepperstone, a global online trading and fintech company with clients across more than 160 countries, has appointed Nigel Fernandes as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective 1 October 2026. The move comes as the company strengthens its focus on developing and owning more of its technology, while expanding its fintech ecosystem into areas including cryptocurrency, AI-driven engineering and institutional-grade infrastructure.

Fernandes brings more than two decades of technology leadership experience spanning financial services, retail, media and enterprise software. He joins Pepperstone from Xero, where he is currently SVP and Executive General Manager of Engineering, overseeing a global engineering organisation responsible for cloud platforms, customer identity and data. Earlier in his career, he held senior technology positions at Publicis Sapient, Coles Group, SEEK and Envato.

Commenting on his appointment, Fernandes said he was looking forward to joining Pepperstone at an important stage in the company's growth. He said his priorities would include strengthening the technology behind the established global trading brand and developing an AI-native engineering platform capable of delivering faster, more dependable access to products and services for clients.

Pepperstone Group CEO Tamas Szabo said technology remains central to the company's client experience and future strategy. He highlighted the company's plans to broaden its fintech offering, including access to cryptocurrency and new markets, while using internally developed technology to create a more personalised experience for customers.

According to Szabo, Fernandes' experience in developing high-performing engineering teams at leading technology companies positions him well to support Pepperstone's next phase of technological growth.

In his new role, Fernandes will have global responsibility for engineering, architecture, cybersecurity and data. He will report directly to Group CEO Tamas Szabo and will be based at Pepperstone's global headquarters in Melbourne.

At Principal, fostering a sense of community is a top priority. Our team is committed to ensuring prospective interns feel at ease during interviews, assisting students who aim to enter our specialized fields, and mentoring the next generation of talent. Many of us view these efforts as a key part of our roles.

Angela, a senior software engineer, is a prime example of this dedication. In the following, she reflects on her journey and her efforts to pave the way for others in the industry.

When did you join Principal, and what is your current role?
During college, I interviewed for two internships. One process felt quite intimidating, while the other—at Principal—was more like a conversation about my enthusiasm for tech and what I could bring to the table. Naturally, I chose the Principal internship.

Now, 15 years later, I’m still here, continuing on the software engineering path. I consider myself a full stack engineer. My work revolves around modernization—blending old technologies with new, and transitioning to cloud-based platforms.

What excites you about the work?
The thrill of continuous learning keeps me engaged. It’s also incredibly rewarding to be here so long and still encounter new concepts and challenges.

How else have you engaged at Principal?
I see my engineering role as my “day job,” but a significant part of what I do involves mentoring students pursuing STEM fields. For example, I’m part of a team that runs a coding project for a STEM conference at a local university. The event focuses on girls, non-binary individuals, and allies, showing them how computer science can be applied to areas like gaming and fashion.

I also mentor middle- and high-school students at the Principal Community Learning Center, mainly teaching Python. Some of these students have gone on to pursue tech careers.

How have you supported others in tech at Principal?
I’ve come full circle from where I began, co-chairing our intern recruiting program. I ensure the interview process is welcoming while also helping define what a successful coding program looks like. Additionally, I’m involved in the global mentorship program and am currently on my third mentorship match.

How have you been supported?
Personally, I’ve worked with several mentors, especially early on, to learn how to push beyond just completing assignments and focus on gathering new insights and being more proactive. I’ve also benefited from the Global Women’s employee resource group, participating in book clubs, leadership training, and various networking opportunities.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to break into tech?
Just take the first step. If you find joy in it and enjoy problem-solving, you’ll start to recognize patterns and work more efficiently. The toughest part is simply getting started.

Click here to review information regarding our recruitments.