Eric Hazard, a 20-year financial technology and communications veteran, has joined Vested Ventures, the investment fund and startup incubator associated with financial communications agency Vested, as CEO, it announced today.

Vested, the fastest-growing communications firm in the world according to recent industry rankings released by Holmes Report, established Vested Ventures in February to make strategic investments in and provide communications services to startup companies in the finance and technology space.

Hazard was most recently managing director of public relations firm Cognito, where he led all U.S. operations of the London-based firm, and is currently host of the video series Focus on Fintech. His role at Vested Ventures will include identifying strong investment opportunities for the fund, structuring investments, and integrating the fund’s portfolio with the industry-leading services Vested provides.

“Eric is an accomplished financial services professional who has the essential blend of experience, ethics, and drive required to fill this unique role,” said Dan Simon, co-founder and CEO of Vested. “Under his steady hand, the companies we invest in through Vested Ventures will have an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and connected support system to grow and scale.”

Said Hazard: “The growth Vested has seen and the accolades it has earned during the past two years are a reflection of its strong management, dedicated teams, and newsworthy clients. The framework Dan, Binna, and Ishviene have put in place will allow us as a team to continue to deliver value, and I’m excited to get to work.”

The award-winning agency and its investment subsidiary expect to add to both executive and account management personnel during the remainder of the year.

Through a unique combination of money, network, and exposure, Vested Ventures takes great ideas and makes them realities. On top of making direct seed investments, the fund provides pro-bono branding, marketing, and growth services, and provides access to its extensive network of venture capital firms, incubators, and industry partners.

Its portfolio consists of equity positions in Remesh, an artificial intelligence platform, and Spare, a mobile app that rounds up users’ dining bills and donates the remainder to charities that feed the hungry. Vested Ventures is currently targeting startups that solve challenges related to financial wellness, financial literacy, financial inclusion, and financial consumer intelligence.