**The big picture:** Fintech company Wise has appointed Barak Eilam, former CEO of NiCE, as its new chair, succeeding David Wells who will step down in April 2027. **Why it matters:** This leadership transition at a prominent fintech firm highlights the strategic importance of experienced executive talent in guiding growth and navigating market complexities. **Between the lines:** - Eilam brings nearly three decades of enterprise technology experience, including 25 years at cloud software firm NiCE. - David Wells oversaw significant customer growth at Wise, from 6 million to nearly 19 million, and the company's dual listing. - Eilam will also head the nominating and corporate governance committee upon assuming the chair role. **Staffing & HR impact:** The appointment of a seasoned executive like Eilam underscores the competitive landscape for top-tier leadership talent, impacting executive search and retention strategies. This move reflects a focus on leveraging deep industry experience for continued organizational scaling and governance. **The bottom line:** Wise's strategic leadership change positions the company for its next phase of growth, emphasizing the value of proven executive leadership in the evolving fintech sector.