PEXA Group has today announced the appointment of Krystle Kocik and Simon Wright as Co-Chief Executive Officers of PEXA UK, effective 1 July 2026.
The Co-CEO structure is designed to leverage the complementary strengths and experience of both leaders as PEXA continues to execute its strategy and build momentum in the UK market.
Current CEO Joe Pepper will depart PEXA UK effective 30 June 2026, having overseen the achievement of several significant milestones during the important establishment period in the UK.
PEXA Group CEO Russell Cohen said that the new leadership structure put PEXA in a strong position to drive PEXA’s UK growth strategy and deepen its commitment to customer success.
“I am delighted to announce the appointments of Krystle Kocik and Simon Wright as Co-CEOs of PEXA UK. Together, Krystle and Simon have significant experience at PEXA, as well as a wealth of experience and knowledge of the UK financial system.
“They bring a deep understanding of PEXA’s value proposition, the UK lending market, as well as complementary skill sets that will underpin both conveyancer and lender adoption,” Cohen said.
“On behalf of everyone at PEXA, I would also like to thank Joe for his contribution to PEXA UK at a crucial time for the business. Joe has helped lay strong foundations for our UK operations and has been a passionate advocate for the modernisation of the property market. We wish him every success for the future.”
Commenting on his departure, Joe Pepper said:
“It has been a privilege to work alongside the UK housing market over the past two and a half years, demonstrating the value that the adoption of an electronic conveyancing platform such as PEXA can deliver in enhancing the property transaction process for all parties.
“I have every confidence in PEXA’s UK team to build upon the foundations established over this period, and I look forward to seeing the pace of adoption continue to accelerate in the years ahead.”
Krystle Kocik joined PEXA UK in 2021, having played a key role in the development and adoption of PEXA’s Australian platform since 2011. Most recently, she held the role of Group Chief Product Officer and is part of the Group Executive Committee.
In the UK, Kocik has been responsible for the end-to-end design and delivery of the PEXA platform, driving customisation and modernisation initiatives designed to ensure the platform met the needs of the UK conveyancing market.
This work was central to PEXA’s integration with Bank of England, a critical milestone in PEXA’s growth journey. Kocik also led the team which delivered NatWest’s implementation of remortgage transactions on the PEXA platform, three months ahead of schedule. She has approximately 20 years’ experience in product and digital transformation across the property technology and financial services sectors in Australia and the UK.
Simon Wright joined PEXA in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer, UK. He has almost 30 years’ experience in financial services across strategy, operations, customer banking and transformation. During his tenure at PEXA, Wright has led the successful integration of the Optima Legal and Smoove businesses into PEXA Group and has driven the implementation of service and efficiency improvements across the UK business.
He also led the integration of Optima Legal with the PEXA UK platform, laying the foundation for achievements including the completion within two working days from offer of NatWest’s first remortgage transaction via PEXA.
PEXA provides the UK’s only FCA-regulated digital property completion infrastructure, connecting the movement of funds and lodgement of title within a single secure platform.
ENDS
About PEXA
PEXA (Property Exchange Australia) is a world-leading, digital property exchange and data insights business, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Since 2013, PEXA has facilitated more than 20 million property settlements, and today, 90% of all property transfer settlements in Australia are processed on the PEXA platform. In 2022 PEXA launched its refinancing capability in the UK, and in 2025 it launched its full Sales & Purchase proposition.
For more information, please contact:
Verdi Taylor-Bishop – UK Chief Marketing Officer, PEXA
E: verdi.taylor-bishop@pexa.com.au
M: +44 (0)7969 670 398
Charlie Earlam (on behalf of PEXA)
E: Pexa@mhpgroup.com
M: +44 (0)7928324266
