Brokerage group XM has hired a new Chief Technology Officer.

Nasos Topakas is an interesting hire because he comes from outside of the industry and has spent three decades working for firms in the USA, with almost two decades of experience in senior roles in San Francisco.

Topakas joins the broker from Sitecore, where he was Chief Engineering Officer for almost four years, managing a team of more than 500 staff.

He has also held the Chief Technology Officer position at Prosper Marketplace, Art.com, SendMe, and StubHub, the latter of which was acquired by eBay during his time at the firm.

Topakas does have some prior experience in the financial services industry, having worked at US retail stock broker Charles Schwab in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was ultimately made VP of Engineering and Architecture for the firm’s (then nascent) online offering, Schwab.com.

“As a global trading powerhouse trusted by over 15 million customers across 190 countries, XM is redefining excellence in financial services,” said Topaka. “I’m honored to be part of a company that not only prioritizes its talent but also values technology, innovation, and an exceptional customer experience at its core.

“I’m eager to partner with XM’s incredible technology team to drive innovation, accelerate delivery, and push the boundaries of what’s possible—ensuring we continue to provide best-in-class experiences for our customers worldwide.”