ekko, a pioneering fintech dedicated to integrating sustainability into every financial transaction, has announced two major appointments as part of its ongoing expansion efforts. The company has confirmed the addition of Anthony Thomson, the founder and former chairman of Metro Bank, Australian neobank, 86 400, and Atom Bank to its board of directors. Additionally, Majda Dabaghi has been named as ekko's new CSO. These two strategic appointments reflect ekko's significant ambition as it enters an important phase of development and expansion following the company’s recent $2.5m in funding. 

As the founder of successful banks across both the UK and Australia, Anthony Thomson is a pioneering force in the banking and finance sector, renowned for his ability to disrupt established markets and drive innovation. His extensive experience in leading high-growth financial institutions has solidified his reputation as a visionary leader. Now, Anthony brings this wealth of expertise to ekko, guiding the company through a crucial phase of expansion. With his support, ekko is poised to continue developing innovative financial products that not only drive positive environmental actions but also establish clear metrics to measure their impact.

Asked about joining ekko’s board of directors, Anthony said: “Green tech and fintech will soon be integral to our daily lives. ekko has an unprecedented opportunity to be at the forefront of this transformation. The intersection of fintech and sustainability remains an underdeveloped space, providing fertile ground for innovation and growth. I think that ekko has the vision, the strategy, and the ability to leverage this opportunity and create positive impact at scale. I’ll be working closely with ekko’s founder and CEO, Oli Cook, to drive growth in the business, while also focusing on expanding our B2B collaborations with banks and payment companies in the UK and globally.”

With over 15 years’ experience working at the intersection of global sustainability and business, Majda Dabaghi’s hiring as ekko’s first CSO is an equally significant addition. Over her career, Majda has worked as an international renewable energy lawyer, before becoming a leading advocate for sustainable business at the highest levels of intergovernmental decision-making. This has included efforts at the United Nations, where she pushed for international climate and nature policies that would encourage businesses to take action in line with global environmental goals. 

Speaking on her new appointment, Majda commented: “It’s fantastic to join the extraordinary ekko team and support our mission to make fintech a force for good. I want to help the company achieve its goal of educating consumers on the environmental impact of their transactions and empowering them to contribute to credible environmental projects around the world that will address the climate and nature emergency. I share ekko's values of operating with the highest possible environmental integrity and the belief that small actions can add up have a huge positive ripple effect and "ekko" across the world. I am looking forward to working with the ekko team, our clients and partners to ensure exponential positive impact.”

ekko is on a mission to educate and fight climate change by leveraging technology in financial services. The company provides the tools and knowledge necessary for financial institutions and consumers to better understand the environmental impact of a purchase and encourage meaningful environmental action. ekko offers integrated sustainability solutions through an API, enabling carbon tracking and carbon compensation among a wider product set. The company’s groundbreaking solutions empower consumers to protect the environment through real-time integration with banking and payment systems

As ekko enters a crucial phase of development and expansion, it is actively targeting banks and payment providers. The recent hires of Anthony and Majda, along with additional expansions to the company’s sales and tech teams, will enable the company to achieve this goal while capitalising on the rapidly growing sustainability market. With global opportunities in sight, ekko aims to transform how consumers and businesses think about payments and their environmental impact, driving a sustainable future.

Regarding the company's recent hires, Oli Cook, CEO and co-founder of ekko, commented: “ekko is at a pivotal stage where strategic scaling, market expansion, and innovation are crucial to our ongoing growth and impact. By bringing Anthony and Majda on board, we underscore our commitment to becoming the leading environment-focused fintech in the ecosystem. Their extensive experience and deep understanding of the intersection between fintech and sustainability uniquely position us to provide the essential tools and knowledge for financial institutions and consumers to have a real impact on the climate and biodiversity.”