Valereum PLC (AQSE:VLRM) has appointed Gary Cottle as its new chief executive with immediate effect, marking a shift in leadership as the company seeks to deepen its focus on digital assets and tokenisation.
Cottle steps into the role following a career spanning three decades across investment banking and financial technology.
He previously held senior positions at Barclays, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Scotland and Nomura, where he was involved in both crisis management and strategic modernisation efforts.
More recently, he has served as a board member and advisor at Valereum, playing a role in the company’s transition into digital finance.
The move comes as Valereum sharpens its strategy around blockchain infrastructure and decentralised finance, or DeFi, a sector that seeks to replicate traditional financial services using distributed technology.
The company has acquired the GSX Group and is actively building digital asset platforms, with operations in El Salvador.
Valereum said Cottle's background in traditional finance and emerging technologies places him in a strong position to steer the company through the evolving landscape.
The departing CEO, Nick Cowan, was thanked for his role in laying the groundwork for Valereum’s current strategy.
Under Cottle, the group is expected to prioritise partnerships and capital efficiency, with an emphasis on avoiding excessive equity dilution and working closely with tech-led firms in blockchain and artificial intelligence.
Chair James Formolli told investors: "Gary's appointment as CEO comes at a critical time as we focus on global growth and recruitment of institutional Tier-1 personnel.
"Gary brings a wealth of knowledge, contacts and commercial acumen. These attributes will allow Valereum to 'think on its feet' as the digital asset market transitions to the mainstream.
"As chairman, I'm looking forward to now delivering on our objectives and will update the markets with more news over the coming weeks."