Leadership Team
Experienced leadership across technology, operations, compliance, finance and commercial delivery, guiding a business built around specialist administration, governance and platform capability.
Executive Leadership
Rajeev Arya
Chief Executive Officer
Joined in 2024
Rajeev is a Chartered Accountant with an MBA and a career built in blue-chip financial services organisations. With over 36 years of working within the UK financial services sector, he has held multiple C-suite roles in complex regulated environments, with particular strength in governance, commercial discipline, capital management and execution. Rajeev is FCA-authorised for SMF1 and SMF3 responsibilities. As Chief Executive Officer of OPAL and Synergy, Rajeev is responsible for setting strategic direction, strengthening leadership accountability and building long-term value. He brings Chesnara a clear executive lead with deep sector experience, a strong understanding of regulated operating models and a practical focus on sustainable performance.
Hannah Mitchell
IT Director
Joined OPAL in 2004
Hannah leads OPAL’s end-to-end IT capability and is responsible for shaping technology delivery across platforms, teams and client services.
She has worked in OPAL’s financial services environment since 2004 and combines deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of client administration, regulated operations and digital self-service. Hannah works closely with clients to translate operational needs into practical technology solutions using OPAL’s configurable in-house platform.
She is ISEB certified across business and IT and CISI Level 3 certified in Securities and Investment, bringing both technology leadership and sector-specific knowledge.
Helen Elliott
Resources Director
Joined in 1998
Helen has been central to OPAL’s leadership and operating capability since she joined OPAL back in 1998, bringing with her vast experience across new business, commissions, IT operations, human resources, premises, business continuity and information security. She joined the Board in 2017 and provides leadership across the resources and infrastructure that support OPAL’s regulated financial services operations.
Helen led OPAL’s ISO27001 implementation in 2012 and continues to support policy, governance and control disciplines across the business.
Her long-standing knowledge of OPAL’s people, clients and operating model provides stability, continuity and strong practical oversight.
Mike O’Connor
Commercial Director
Joined in 2024
Mike leads OPAL’s senior executive client relationships and is responsible for strengthening OPAL’s position across its core financial services markets. He has over 30 years’ experience in UK financial services, with senior commercial, operational and relationship leadership across insurance, investments and lending. Before joining OPAL in 2024, Mike held leadership roles in major retail and outsourcing businesses, developing customer-centric servicing propositions and managing senior stakeholder relationships. He brings Chesnara strong market knowledge, commercial judgement and a partnership-led approach focused on service quality, customer outcomes and long-term client value.
Chris Christofi
Head of Risk and Compliance
Joined in 2025
Chris is a senior risk and regulatory leader with more than 30 years’ experience across financial services, industry and regulation. Chris has held Head of Risk, Compliance and CASS roles across multiple Tier One banks in the City of London and has operated in highly regulated, complex environments.
Chris is an ex-regulator and is FCA-authorised for SMF16, SMF17, SMF4 and SMF3 responsibilities, demonstrating a strong record of regulatory accountability. Chris brings deep expertise in Consumer Duty, UK and cross-border regimes, board-level governance, financial crime oversight and proportionate risk frameworks that support sustainable growth.
Colin Buckhurst
Head of Operations
Joined OPAL in 2008
Colin leads OPAL’s Operations function across administration, finance operations, office services and call handling. He has more than 30 years’ financial services experience across life, pensions, investments and mortgages, with a strong record in operational management and service delivery within regulated environments. Since joining OPAL in 2008, Colin has also held key governance responsibilities as Chief Security Officer and Business Continuity Planning Coordinator, and he is an active member of the Risk and Health & Safety committees. Colin is passionate about Consumer Duty and brings operational discipline, sector experience and strong control awareness to OPAL’s client service model.
