FNG Exclusive… FNG has learned that longtime IG Group (LON:IGG) executive Matthew Davidson has joined real estate funds exchange platform startup Trustport, as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Trustport is based in Melbourne, Australia. The company was founded last year by former Realtair co-founder and COO Blake Williams.

Matthew Davidson spent over 20 years at IG Group, beginning in 2005 as a Sales Trader for the London based online broker. He moved to Australia for IG in 2012, to serve as Head of Dealing, and in 2023 was named CEO Australia & New Zealand for IG. Matthew left IG last year.

IG has made numerous changes to its senior management ranks around the world in recent months. IG Group Japan CEO Tomoharu Furuichi stepped down earlier this year, while IG Singapore CEO Gavin Chia recently moved to Longbridge.

Matthew posted the following note on social media about his move to Trustport.

Delighted to share that I’ve joined Trustport as Chief Operating Officer.

Trustport is solving a real problem: today, buyer and seller funds in property transactions move through fragmented trust accounts, creating over $600 million in administrative costs for Australian real estate businesses every year, with around $50 million lost to fraud. Trustport’s platform simplifies how those funds are managed, reducing fraud risk and compliance complexity so real estate businesses can focus on what they do best.

It’s a mission that sits squarely at the intersection of fintech and property. After 20 years in financial services, I’m really excited by the opportunity to help build something that protects people through one of the biggest transactions of their lives.

Huge thanks to founders Blake Williams and Cat Munro for the opportunity. Looking forward to getting to work.