Tom Stena
“I spent 15 years inside one of Europe’s largest banking groups. I’ve sat in the Boardroom, signed the multi-million Euro contracts, and carried the accountability for the results.
At Epity, I bring that same skin in the game to your portfolio.”
25 years inside the operations.
Not advising on them.
A Banking Systems Transformation
As COO and Board Member at Erste Bank Serbia, Tom led the complete replacement of the bank's core IT infrastructure. New Core Banking system, Card Management, Digital Channels. All running in parallel. He knows exactly where status reports hide the real risks in a massive transformation.
The Vienna to CEE Bridge
5+ years at Erste Group Headquarters in Vienna. 6 years at Slovakia’s largest bank. Tom understands the friction between Group Strategy and Local Execution. He specialises in making HQ-level expectations work within local CEE operational realities.
600 People, 3 Countries
As Managing Director of Erste Group IT International, he led a team of 600 employees and 200+ external specialists across multiple geographies and built a 150-person nearshore centre in Bratislava from scratch.
Not advisory. Full P&L and delivery accountability.
Crisis Leadership
As COO, he was assigned overall crisis responsibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not just IT and operations, but the entire bank: branch network, cash management, safety, and business continuity across all functions.
He doesn’t manage Green status reports. He delivers when the situation is Red.
Builder, Not Just Operator
Founded a technology company from zero and grew it to acquisition by a German digital solutions provider. Led the post-acquisition integration and restructuring.
He has built something himself, not just managed what others built.
“When I was a COO, I hired the Big 4. I saw exactly when they sent the A-team and when they didn’t.
I founded Epity to ensure mid-size financial firms no longer have to settle for the consultant B-team.
We provide the senior operational leadership I once wished I could hire.”
Where Tom makes the difference.
Board-Level IT Strategy
Bridging the gap between technical debt and business ROI. Translating what the CTO needs into what the Board will fund.
Operational Resilience
DORA and NIS2 readiness through the eyes of a former regulator-facing COO. Not compliance paperwork. Operational reality.
Complex Turnarounds
Rescuing stalled multi-million Euro transformation programmes. Diagnosing what went wrong, restructuring delivery, and restoring Board confidence.