Record revenue year prompts leadership restructure focused on making its respected specialist services available to a wider range of customers through innovation and increased automation
Operis has reorganised its leadership structure to reinforce its position as a trusted, independent advisor in project finance to its growing list of clients around the world, following a record revenue year in 2025.
As part of the reorganisation, Veselina Aldred has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 February 2026. Veselina succeeds Founder and CEO David Colver, who will assume the role of Chief Growth & Innovation Officer and return to the role of Chairman of the Board.
Veselina Aldred joined Operis more than 20 years ago and has been engaged in every aspect of the consulting activities of the firm as it has grown. She brings deep knowledge of the firm’s proprietary financial modelling capabilities and the needs of project finance clients. Her appointment ensures continuity for clients and staff as the firm ramps up its focus on innovation.
David Colver’s new role reflects Operis’s commitment to growth through innovation. With a computing background, he developed the methodologies and training used by Operis for building financial models, and for auditing them, and oversaw the development of the Operis Analysis Kit (OAK) – the industry-standard Excel add-in for financial modelling. As Chief Growth & Innovation Officer, he will focus on new technology, including the application of AI, as well as strategic partnerships and growth in new sectors and regions.
Veselina Aldred comments:
“Operis has long been a trusted advisor in the infrastructure and energy space, and in more recent history, has extended that reputation successfully into energy transition.
Our extensive experience, combined with the calibre of people we employ and the robust training we provide to them, has positioned the firm as expert in its industry. From this position, Operis has had the privilege of helping to shape and develop best practice in project finance.
I look forward to leading Operis’s efforts to explore the responsible deployment of increased automation and AI, as we continue to support our clients to deliver essential infrastructure.”
David Colver says:
“Many leaders of professional services firms are preoccupied with changes already flowing from new processes made possible by rapidly evolving technology. Not just possible, but inevitable: if they don’t pursue them, their competitors surely will, as will their clients.
But innovation is not confined to technology. It covers also the range of markets served, understanding from clients their changing need for what they would like the firm to supply to them, and the partnerships through which delivery is accomplished.
It is clear that these topics need focus. As I take up the position of Chief Growth & Innovation Officer and Chairman, I am delighted that Ves has agreed to take over the position of CEO. I am looking forward to engaging with clients for what I intend will be a time of creativity, for them as much as Operis.”
David Hensley, the current Chairman of the Board of Operis Group Limited, added:
“The firm enters 2026 after a good performance in 2025 and I and my co-Directors look forward to supporting Ves, David and the excellent Executive group in leading the company forward. We wish them all great success.”
