Behind every fast-growing fintech is a team of sharp minds ensuring the engine keeps running — and Artur Lemming is undoubtedly one of the brightest among them. As Wallester’s Chief Administrative Officer, he oversees various departments, from finance and operations to HR and implementation. But his path to the top wasn’t a straight line; it was a series of bold moves, rapid growth, and a commitment to building something bigger than himself.
Before joining Wallester, Artur cut his teeth in the high-stakes world of microelectronics and R&D, rising from economist to CFO. Since joining Wallester and stepping into his first role as a Business Project Manager, he’s moved quickly through the ranks — a testament to his adaptability and leadership.
In this interview, Artur shares his career journey, leadership philosophy, and the behind-the-scenes projects driving Wallester’s growth. From automating financial systems to nurturing a high-performing team, Artur makes it clear: great companies are built on clarity, trust, and a focus on improvement.
Could you provide insight into your career before joining Wallester?
Before joining Wallester, I spent nine exciting years in a group of companies that included both microelectronics manufacturing and R&D support businesses. We worked on cutting-edge technologies, secured patents, and attracted business grants to drive innovation. During this time, we built a massive factory, became part of a special economic zone, and significantly increased the group’s revenue.
I started as an economist and eventually became the CFO. So I’ve done everything – from spreadsheets to strategy, counting pennies to managing millions.
Why did you choose to join Wallester?
New country. New chapter. New mindset. In that moment of significant change, having relocated to Estonia, I wasn’t just looking for a job – I was looking for something that moved me. That’s when I found Wallester – bold, dynamic, and right at the heart of fintech innovation. After an inspiring talk with Dmitri Logvinenko (Wallester’s COO), I knew this wasn’t just another role. It was a chance to build, grow, and contribute to something meaningful. So when Wallester offered me the position of Business Project Manager, the decision felt natural – and mutual.
So, Wallester chose me. I chose Wallester. And together, we’re creating something worth talking about.
You’ve had quite a meteoric rise inside the company. Give us some background on how you progressed from Business Project Manager to Head of Client Success, White-Label, to Head of Finance and now Chief Administrative Officer.
My journey at Wallester has been dynamic and full of growth. I started as a Business Project Manager, where I learned the company’s products, structure, and internal processes from the inside out. The role required close coordination between teams and gave me valuable experience with both the technical and client-facing sides of the business.
Later, I moved into the role of Head of Client Success, White-Label (or Captain White Label, as my colleagues called me), leading a team focused on building strong, long-term partnerships.
That experience taught me not only how to support clients but how to think like one. I want to highlight that I wouldn’t have succeeded in this role without the incredible team that believed in me. The strongest tool for reaching your goals is the team standing behind you.
As I became more involved in budgeting and financial planning, I naturally transitioned into the role of Head of Finance. I focused on building a solid financial structure to support the company’s rapid growth there.
Today, as Chief Administrative Officer, I oversee several departments – finance, accounting, implementation, operations, and HR. It’s a big responsibility, but every step along the way helped me build the skills to lead with clarity, perspective, and confidence.
Your colleagues selected you as the Best Employee of the Year in 2023. What does this recognition mean for you?
I was focused on my work and didn’t expect anything, so it was a big surprise when I heard my name at the Winter Gala. This award means a lot to me because it came from my team, colleagues, and managers. Their trust is very important to me.
And yes, it felt a bit like getting an Oscar.
As a department head, you lead a large team of finance and administrative professionals. What is your leadership philosophy?
Leadership is built on trust and a shared vision. When a team truly believes in what they’re doing – and in each other – that’s when real progress happens.
Behind every successful company, there are people. And I believe in people.
As a leader, I try to stay strong and focused, even when the direction is difficult.
Because sometimes, to reach your goals, you must swim against the current – and as they say, only dead fish go with the flow.
Leadership is not about control. It’s about responsibility, direction, and moving forward together.
Wallester has just released its financial numbers for 2024, and they are seriously impressive. How have you achieved such phenomenal growth, and do you expect similar or even greater things in 2025?
The results in 2024 are something we’re very proud of.
This success stems from great teamwork, investment in product development, and entering new industries and markets. We also improved financial processes and built better forecasting tools, which gave us more control over our growth.
In 2025, we expect continued strong results. With a solid foundation, a growing client base, and international expansion ahead, we’re ready for the next level.
After all, good strategy is like good finance: clear, consistent, and always with a backup plan – just in case the market forgets to behave.
What’s a project at Wallester that you’re particularly proud of?
Many people think finance is boring – unless we’re talking about salary increases (then suddenly everyone’s listening).
But in reality, finance is about one thing: bringing order to chaos – every minute, every day.
One project I’m especially proud of is automating our financial reporting and metric tracking.
My team is involved in a continuous process of product and process improvement, which enables us to make decisions more swiftly and adapt more effectively to the ever-changing conditions of both financial regulators and the market — a crucial priority in the world of finance, where transparency, speed, and scalability are key. On top of that, we’ve replaced manual financial control processes with an automated system, making the entire workflow simpler and significantly faster.
This allowed faster decision-making, reduced human error, and gave department heads clear visibility into budgets and performance. It was a great cross-team effort between finance, product, and IT teams – and it really impacted how we operate.
And, of course, our ongoing mission remains the same: ensuring that client funds are always safeguarded and segregated.
Our business is built on trust, and if the finance team had a motto, it would be:
“Always safeguarded. Always segregated.”
What are your primary goals for Wallester in 2025?
Our main goal for 2025 is clear: to drive sustainable, scalable growth.
That means continuously improving internal processes, ensuring financial efficiency, and supporting our expansion into new markets.
We’re also focused on strengthening our compliance and administrative functions, making sure they evolve alongside the business and support long-term success.
But above all, we’re investing in what drives real progress: our people. Through continuous learning, clearer career paths, and a culture where everyone can grow and thrive, we aim to build an outstanding product and an exceptional workplace.
Because behind every success story, there’s a strong team.
Finally, do you have a life or work motto? And what’s one quote that resonates with you?
I have two mottos, actually:
Keep Calm and Negotiate Like an Action Movie Deal-Maker
Calm under pressure. Focused on results. Plan B is always ready
And as for a quote, here’s one that inspires me every day:”Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs
