Lendi Group names new CTO to drive AI-native strategy

Lendi Group has promoted Devesh Maheshwari to Chief Technology Officer as the Australian fintech pursues a shift towards becoming an AI-native business by mid-2026.

Maheshwari will lead technology strategy across the group's Aussie and Lendi brands. He will take responsibility for the group's AI platform, engineering, architecture and cybersecurity functions.

Lendi Group operates an end-to-end property and home loan platform. Maheshwari will oversee its continued technology evolution as the business expands.

The appointment comes during a period of leadership change at the Sydney-based lender and broker platform. Co-founder Sebastian Watkins is set to succeed David Hyman as chief executive from the start of 2026, while Hyman will remain on the board and act as a special adviser with a focus on AI and growth.

Leadership endorsement

Watkins said the promotion reflects the importance of technology and AI to Lendi Group's strategy. "Devesh has deep technical knowledge and is a natural connector of people, product and strategy. He's been a champion for the Group, driving innovation, and we're proud to see that technical strength represented in our executive leadership team."

Lendi Group is investing in an AI-focused roadmap that it expects will reshape how its platforms operate for brokers, partners and retail customers.

"Technology has always been at the core of our business, and more so now than ever, as we transition to become an AI-native business. Devesh has played a pivotal role in that journey so far and will continue to be a key influencer inside and outside the business as we build the next generation of our platform for brokers, partners and customers," said Watkins.

The shift towards AI comes as mortgage and property platforms face increased competition from digital-first lenders and comparison services. Lendi Group's strategy centres on integrating data, AI and workflow tools across property search, loan origination and ownership support.

Experienced technologist

Maheshwari has previously held both CIO and CTO roles in other organisations. He has led technology teams in highly regulated industries and has worked on cultural and technology transformations.

He most recently served as General Manager of Technology at Lendi Group. In that role, he worked across delivery, platform development and operational technology functions.

Lendi Group describes him as an executive-level leader and strategist. The company highlights its focus on business value creation through technology, innovation and modern delivery methods.

The promotion places Maheshwari at the centre of decision-making on AI, security and architecture. These are areas that regulators and financial services firms monitor closely as digital lending and property tools become more complex.

AI-native ambition

Maheshwari said the move into the CTO role coincides with a significant shift in how the group uses technology across its operations. "I'm honoured to step into the CTO role at such a transformative time for Lendi Group. Our vision to become AI-native by mid-2026 isn't just about adopting new technology, it's about fundamentally reimagining how we create value for brokers, partners and customers."

Lendi Group's platform spans property search, buyer advocacy, mortgage broking, conveyancing and ownership tools. It supports a national network of around 1,350 brokers and 215 retail stores and manages a home loan book of more than $107 billion.

The company employs about 1,000 people. It operates under both the Aussie and Lendi brands and focuses on the Australian property and home loan market.

The group has built its model around a single digital platform for customers and brokers. The AI programme will sit on top of that platform and will influence how the company matches borrowers with products, manages workflows and supports ongoing ownership.

Maheshwari said the next phase of development will focus on intelligence across the full lending journey. "We're building an intelligent platform that anticipates needs, streamlines complexity, and empowers everyone in the property and home loan journey. I'm excited to work alongside our talented teams to turn this vision into reality, while maintaining the security and reliability our customers depend on."