1300 779 106About Smart Currency Business
Smart Currency Business is the corporate arm of Smart Currency Group, which has helped companies and individuals manage currency risk for more than 20 years.
Founded in London in 2004, we’ve grown into one of the largest privately-owned currency specialists globally, recognised for the depth of our consultative approach and the technology that backs it. Our solutions support businesses across the full risk management cycle, from strategy design through to execution, reporting and ongoing review.
Now we’re bringing that experience to Australia.
Meet the team
Our senior management team
Charles Purdy
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Charles is the Smart Currency Group founder and Chief Executive Officer, bringing well over 20 years of diversified industry knowledge and experience to the company. He has operated in various positions such as, engineering on the initial design team for the Typhoon and Tornado fighters, working at PwC and has trained as a Chartered Accountant. Charles has also served as the Chief Financial Officer of a diamond-mining company operating in Namibia. It was his position as CFO there, that revealed how crucial currency strategies are to a business’ bottom line.
In the 1990s, Charles delved further into the currency exchange industry, joining a team that commenced operations in Eastern Europe (with the collapse of the Berlin Wall). As globalisation boomed, Charles saw the growing importance for companies to mitigate risk on their international payments. He also noticed the world was presenting a new wave of entrepreneurship not previously accessible, thus heeded the call.
As the founder of the Smart Currency Group, Charles uses his knowledge and experience of international business to help thousands of companies reduce their risk and improve the efficiency of their overseas trade. He is a firm believer that businesses require useful and relevant information, championing thought leadership within the sector.
Gautam Prem Kumar
General Manager - Australia
Spearheading Smart Currency’s launch in Australia, Gautam has held a number of executive positions across banking, foreign exchange and payments.
After more than a decade as Director of Transformation at American Express, Gautam moved into several compliance-focused rolls with Australian banks. Like Charles, he is an accountant by trade, holding a master’s degree and a CPA Australia accreditation.
Gautam is based in Sydney and will be at the forefront of Smart Currency’s expansion in Australia.
Alex Bennett
Managing Director
Alex has been with the Smart Group since 2008 and is responsible for all sales and marketing efforts. He has overseen more than 3000 client acquisitions and remains at the coalface in many client and affiliate conversations.
As Managing Director and the Co-Founder of Smart Currency Business, Alex ensures that Smart’s multi award-winning risk management service is constantly being delivered, developed and refined. His passion for the company’s culture to progress and strong drive for persistent innovation, are key forces that ensure Smart Currency Business grows from strength to strength.
Initiatives pioneered by Alex include the launch of ‘Smart Currency Options’ and the introduction of Smart’s ‘Business Services’.
Speak to our team today
