FinTech startup pirkx has announced the addition of a former chief executive and a Google executive to its top team, following a £1 million seed funding raise.

The company, which provides a package of benefits and savings solutions for gig economy and small business workers, has hired former Google UK and Ireland managing director Dan Cobley as chairman.

He will be joined on the board by former T. Rowe Price Global Investment Services boss Todd Ruppert, who will sit as a non-executive director.

The announcement comes as Pirkx announces it has raised nearly £1 million in seed funding, with contributions from Vala Capital and SyndicateRoom. The company is planning to use the money to expand its operations into new territories, including South Africa and the United States.

Most recently, Cobley led the FinTech portfolio for Blenheim Chalcot, chairing three fast-growth FinTech companies: SalaryFinance, BusinessFinanceCompared and ClearScore.

Until late 2014, he was managing director at Google UK & Ireland, and previously held posts as vice president of brand and marketing for Capital One Europe, marketing director for Ask Jeeves, and marketing director at Pepsi/Walkers.

Ruppert brings over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. In addition to his time at T. Rowe Price, he was a venture partner at $10 billion venture capital firm Greenspring Associates, chairman of Q Ventures, and an advisor to venture firm Antler.

They join the team consisting of Stella Smith (founder and chief executive), Craig Caveney (chief technology officer), Ella Hamilton (Australian managing director) and Daniel Shakhani (co-founder).

Smith commented: “I’m delighted to appoint Dan and Todd - they both bring fantastic experience and knowledge to pirkx and I know they’re going to be able to help pirkx achieve its mission to bring affordable wellbeing services to more people.”

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