Improving the information architecture of the Smart Pension member app
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AI and data platform leader joins Smart, to accelerate the next phase of product and engineering growth
11/3/2026
10 March 2026, London. Smart, the savings and investments technology business transforming the global retirement savings market, has appointed Lee Hepplewhite as Chief Technology Officer.
Lee brings more than 20 years of global technology leadership experience spanning AI, machine learning, cloud modernisation and large-scale data platforms. He will help drive the next phase of Keystone, Smart’s global retirement and savings platform that powers its UK Master Trust, Smart Pension, and has been central to modernising long term savings solutions at scale. The platform’s recent multi-million pound partnership with Hargreaves Lansdown’s Workplace business underscores its position as one of the UK’s most advanced savings technology infrastructures.
Lee will focus on further strengthening Keystone’s engineering capability, shaping its technology strategy and advancing the product and engineering roadmap as the business continues to scale in the UK and internationally.
Prior to joining Smart, Lee served as Chief Technology Officer at Outra, where he led data, engineering and product teams with a focus on expanding AI capabilities and driving digital transformation. He previously held senior global technology roles at dunnhumby and Experian, and has extensive experience delivering data-driven solutions for complex organisations.
Lee Hepplewhite, Chief Technology Officer at Smart, said:
“Smart has built a strong reputation for its technology-led approach to retirement saving, and I’m excited to join at such a pivotal time for the business. There is a clear opportunity to further strengthen our engineering foundations, scaling our AI and data capabilities to continue improving the experience and outcomes we deliver for members and employers.”
Bahea Izmeqna, Chief Product Officer at Smart, said:
"We are thrilled to welcome Lee to Smart where he’ll support us in scaling our retirement savings technology platform. As we continue to grow, invest and innovate, it is essential that our engineering and product capabilities remain best in class.
“Lee’s depth of experience across AI, machine learning and enterprise-scale data platforms will help us further enhance our Keystone platform and support the next stage of our development.”
About Smart
Smart is a global savings and investments technology platform provider. Its mission is to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing, across all generations, around the world.
Smart, founded in 2014, is the company behind Keystone, the technology platform supporting retirement savers globally. Keystone is specifically designed to help governments and financial institutions (including insurers, asset managers, banks and financial advisers) deliver retirement savings and income solutions that are digital, bespoke and cost-efficient. In addition to the UK, Smart is operating in the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia, with more than a million savers entrusting over £15 billion in assets on its Keystone platform.
Aquiline, Barclays, Chrysalis Investments, DWS Group, Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, J.P. Morgan, Legal & General, MUFG and Natixis Investment Managers are all investors in Smart.
About Keystone
Keystone is part of the Smart Group, a global savings and investments technology business on a mission to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing across generations, worldwide. As the Group’s retirement technology specialist, Keystone focuses on building intelligent, scalable solutions that support better financial outcomes for individuals, employers and providers globally. Keystone’s platform already powers market-leading products serving millions of savers, including our own retirement solution in the UK, Smart Pension.
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For media enquiries, contact: pressoffice@smart.co
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Smart appoints Lee Hepplewhite as Chief Technology Officer
AI and data platform leader joins Smart, to accelerate the next phase of product and engineering growth
10 March 2026, London. Smart, the savings and investments technology business transforming the global retirement savings market, has appointed Lee Hepplewhite as Chief Technology Officer.
Lee brings more than 20 years of global technology leadership experience spanning AI, machine learning, cloud modernisation and large-scale data platforms. He will help drive the next phase of Keystone, Smart’s global retirement and savings platform that powers its UK Master Trust, Smart Pension, and has been central to modernising long term savings solutions at scale. The platform’s recent multi-million pound partnership with Hargreaves Lansdown’s Workplace business underscores its position as one of the UK’s most advanced savings technology infrastructures.
Lee will focus on further strengthening Keystone’s engineering capability, shaping its technology strategy and advancing the product and engineering roadmap as the business continues to scale in the UK and internationally.
Prior to joining Smart, Lee served as Chief Technology Officer at Outra, where he led data, engineering and product teams with a focus on expanding AI capabilities and driving digital transformation. He previously held senior global technology roles at dunnhumby and Experian, and has extensive experience delivering data-driven solutions for complex organisations.
Lee Hepplewhite, Chief Technology Officer at Smart, said:
“Smart has built a strong reputation for its technology-led approach to retirement saving, and I’m excited to join at such a pivotal time for the business. There is a clear opportunity to further strengthen our engineering foundations, scaling our AI and data capabilities to continue improving the experience and outcomes we deliver for members and employers.”
Bahea Izmeqna, Chief Product Officer at Smart, said:
"We are thrilled to welcome Lee to Smart where he’ll support us in scaling our retirement savings technology platform. As we continue to grow, invest and innovate, it is essential that our engineering and product capabilities remain best in class.
“Lee’s depth of experience across AI, machine learning and enterprise-scale data platforms will help us further enhance our Keystone platform and support the next stage of our development.”
About Smart
Smart is a global savings and investments technology platform provider. Its mission is to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing, across all generations, around the world.
Smart, founded in 2014, is the company behind Keystone, the technology platform supporting retirement savers globally. Keystone is specifically designed to help governments and financial institutions (including insurers, asset managers, banks and financial advisers) deliver retirement savings and income solutions that are digital, bespoke and cost-efficient. In addition to the UK, Smart is operating in the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia, with more than a million savers entrusting over £15 billion in assets on its Keystone platform.
Aquiline, Barclays, Chrysalis Investments, DWS Group, Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, J.P. Morgan, Legal & General, MUFG and Natixis Investment Managers are all investors in Smart.
About Keystone
Keystone is part of the Smart Group, a global savings and investments technology business on a mission to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing across generations, worldwide. As the Group’s retirement technology specialist, Keystone focuses on building intelligent, scalable solutions that support better financial outcomes for individuals, employers and providers globally. Keystone’s platform already powers market-leading products serving millions of savers, including our own retirement solution in the UK, Smart Pension.
Follow us on LinkedIn
For media enquiries, contact: pressoffice@smart.co
About Smart
Smart is a global savings and investments technology platform provider. Its mission is to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing, across all generations, around the world.
Smart launched in 2015, its technology platform – Keystone – serves the needs of retirement savers globally. Keystone is specifically designed to help governments and financial institutions (including insurers, asset managers, banks and financial advisers) deliver retirement savings and income solutions that are digital, bespoke and cost-efficient. In addition to the UK, Smart is operating in the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia, with more than a million savers entrusting over £15 billion in assets on its Keystone platform.
Aquiline, Barclays, Chrysalis Investments, DWS Group, Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, J.P. Morgan, Legal & General, MUFG and Natixis Investment Managers are all investors in Smart.
For media enquiries
Email: pressoffice@smart.co