Gtn, Exness and Saxo Bank: Leadership Changes of the Week
Recent Leadership Changes in Fintech, Forex, and Crypto
This month, the financial industry saw some notable changes in leadership positions. Hantec Markets, Mastercard, Cyvers, Deribit, and CMC Markets Germany all had changes in their leadership teams. The volatile nature of the financial sector continues to drive strategic changes and organizational shifts.
Weekly Summary: Stay updated on the evolving leadership landscape in forex, cryptocurrency, and fintech.
Notable Leadership Change of the Week
Elena Krutova, Former Chief Administration Officer of Exness, Announces Move to Remedica
Elena Krutova has transitioned from her role as Chief Administration Officer of Exness to join Remedica, a global pharmaceutical company. Through her new position as Chief Human Resources Officer, Krutova aims to establish robust HR processes and tools to foster a thriving corporate culture and propel business growth.
Despite Exness’s recent rebranding efforts, the company reported a 9% decline in client trading volume in February, prompting a reevaluation of its market strategies.
Saxo Bank’s Chief Economist Steen Jakobsen Retires After Two Decades of Service
Steen Jakobsen, the longstanding Chief Economist at Saxo Bank, has left the company after 20 years. He played a pivotal role in shaping Saxo Strats and establishing the bank as a reputable financial advisor. Despite declining net profits, Saxo Bank secured an ‘A+’ issuer rating from S&P Global Ratings, indicating strong operational performance and effective risk management.
GTN Appoints Damian Bunce as CEO for the Middle East
Global fintech leader GTN welcomes Damian Bunce as its new Head for the Middle East, leveraging his extensive online trading expertise and strategic insights. Bunce, a former executive at Saxo Bank and Exness, is set to steer GTN’s growth in the region and drive innovative trading solutions.
Saxo Bank Chief Economist retires after 20 years of service
Steen Jakobsen has left Saxo Bank after 20 years of dedicated service. Under his leadership, Saxo Strats has achieved a milestone in market analysis and is known for his insightful perspective. Jakobsen’s contributions, such as creating ‘Outrageous Predictions’, have cemented Saxo Bank’s reputation as a trusted advisor to the financial world. Jakobsen thanked Saxo Bank for the path he had taken and highlighted its commitment to challenging conventional thinking and empowering investors.
Saxo Bank recently published a financial report for 2023, showing a decline in net profit despite an increase in revenue. S&P Global Ratings awarded the company an issuer rating of ‘A+’, indicating strong operational performance as well as effective risk management. March saw the lowest FX volume in eight years, a reflection of changing market dynamics. Saxo Bank Middle East and North Africa has appointed Tara Tyan as Chief Operating Officer, strengthening the leadership team.
Learn more about Jakobsen’s tenure at Saxo Bank and their evolving strategies in light of changing market conditions.
Exclusive: GTN hires former Saxo Bank CCO Damian Bunce as CEO for the Middle East
GTN, the global leader in fintech, has appointed Damian Bunce as Head of GTN Middle East. Bunce will leverage his 30 years of experience in online trading and forex trading. Bunce, formerly of Saxo Bank & Exness, has a strategic background that fits well with GTN’s vision to democratise trading. Manjula Jayasinghe was excited about Bunce’s new appointment, highlighting his potential to advance the company’s fintech goals.
In his new role, Bunce will lead GTN’s strategic initiatives in the Middle East, coordinate global operations across its branch network and cement GTN’s commitment to providing innovative trading and investment solutions to a broad range of financial services firms. When asked about his new role, Bunce said: “I am delighted to be joining GTN at this exciting time in its history. I look forward to returning to the B2B space and working in what has become a strategic region for financial services. GTN is a company with a strong management team, a leading regulated product in the market, an enviable client list and a high-calibre investor panel. The future possibilities for GTN are endless.”
Find out more about Damian Bunce and his pivotal role in GTN’s expansion, as well as the company’s commitment to revolutionising the global fintech industry.
ATFX focuses on LATAM, promotes Head of Marketing to Regional Head
ATFX, an established FX and CFD brokerage, has promoted Ergin Erdemir to Head of Latin America, demonstrating ATFX’s commitment to expanding into emerging markets. Previously Head of Marketing for the UK, Erdemir took on the internal role with a focus on innovation and growth strategies. He is responsible for improving customer satisfaction and diversifying product offerings.
Erdemir, who has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, is ATFX’s strategic investment in the Latin American market. Joe Li, Chairman of ATFX, praises Erdemir for his strategic expertise and reiterates his confidence in Latin America’s future. This appointment is in line with ATFX’s recent efforts to strengthen leadership, which include the hiring of Drew Niv (CSO) and key new hires across all global regions.
Learn more about ATFX’s expansion plans and Erdemir’s vision to drive growth in Latin America.
Faisal Morrar, Source: LinkedIn
Moneta Markets appoints Faisal Morrar as Regional Business Development Manager for MENA
Moneta Markets is proud to expand its presence in the MENA region with the appointment of Faisal Morrar as the new Regional Business Development Manager. Morrar is a highly experienced multi-asset financial broker that aims to drive the company’s growth in the region by leveraging his extensive global brokerage background.
Morrar has successfully led strategic projects across multiple markets and has held key positions at various brokerage firms including senior relationship management and project manager. His appointment underlines Moneta Market’s commitment to enhancing its team with top talent to solidify its presence in the MENA space. Morrar is dedicated to using his skills to expand Moneta’s offerings and further establish its footprint in the region.
Explore more about Moneta Markets’ strategic appointments and growth initiatives aimed at achieving a stronger presence and influence in the MENA financial scene.
Michael O’Sullivan, Source: LinkedIn
Hantec Markets elevates Michael O’Sullivan to Chief Technology Officer
Hantec Markets, a leading forex trading platform, has promoted Michael O’Sullivan from Head of Technology Strategy to the role of Chief Technology Officer. O’Sullivan, leveraging his extensive experience with firms such as INFINOX UK, ATFX UK, and CMC Markets, is poised to play a crucial role in the company’s technological innovation and advancement.
Hantec Markets’ launch of its own trading services last year, allowing traders to engage in live trading without an initial deposit, has been a significant milestone. The company also recorded a 7% increase in revenue in 2022, reflecting its continued growth trajectory. The appointment of Lee Holmes as Head of Institutional Sales and the launch of Hantec Prime further underscore Hantec Market’s strategic focus on enhancing institutional offerings.
Michael O’Sullivan’s expanding role in propelling market growth and technological innovation is of paramount importance as the company continues its upward trajectory.
Adam Jones, Source: LinkedIn
Adam Jones appointed as Mastercard’s EVP for West Arabia Expansion
Adam Jones, formerly Mastercard’s Senior Vice President and Regional General Manager for MENA Central, has been promoted to Executive Vice President (EVP) of West Arabia. Jones, with extensive expertise in overseeing operations in markets such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, is committed to driving growth and innovation across the region. The West Arabia Division is recognized for its innovative and dynamic approach, contributing inspiring stories that spotlight the intersection of “Creativity and Success.”
Prior to his current position as EVP, Jones was influential as SVP Travel & Expenses at Mastercard, making significant contributions to the company’s travel solution. His career includes impactful positions at HyperPay Middle East and American Express Middle East, showcasing his expertise and influence in the finance and commerce sector.
Uncover more about Adam Jones and his strategic vision for Mastercard’s initiatives in Western Arabia.
Michael Pearl
Michael Pearl takes on the role of Vice President of Cyvers’ GTM Strategy
Michael Pearl, former Chief Operating Officer of KiroboFlow, embarks on a new journey as the Vice President of Cyvers, GTM Strategy. Pearl’s diverse background, including valuable experience at Finance Magnates and Natural Intelligence, positions him as a key asset for Cyvers. In a LinkedIn post, Pearl expresses his appreciation for his time at KiroboFlow, underscoring the support of his colleagues, Asaf Naime and Tal Asa.
The integration of blockchain security and banking is gaining momentum, with Cyvers leveraging machine learning to detect cryptocurrency attacks. Furthermore, smart contracts are being adopted by the banking industry to enhance both security and efficiency. Research from AskFX emphasizes the transformative impact of smart contracts on transactions and intermediary reliance while acknowledging hurdles related to legal recognition and standardization.
Discover more about the evolving intersection of blockchain technology and banking security through Michael Pearl’s transition to Cyvers and the increasing utilization of smart contracts by financial institutions.
Luuk Strijers, CEO, Deribit FZE, Source: LinkedIn
Luuk Strijers joins Deribit FZE as the new CEO
Deribit FZE, a leading trading platform, has welcomed Luuk Strijers as its new CEO. Strijers, with his extensive experience in the crypto space, is set to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and solidifying its position within the digital assets industry. His appointment signifies Deribit FZE’s commitment to scaling and further establishing itself as a prominent player in the market.
Learn more about Luuk Strijers’ aspirations and strategic vision for Deribit FZE as he leads the company into its next phase of development in the digital assets arena.
Luuk Strijers, CEO of Deribit FZE, Source: LinkedIn
Deribit appoints Luuk Strijers as CEO and secures conditional VASP license for Dubai
Deribit FZE, the Dubai-based branch of Deribit Group, has received a conditional license as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) from the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority in Dubai. This represents a major regulatory milestone, with the license for spot and derivatives trading awaiting the fulfillment of the remaining requirements of the VARA. Deribit also relocated its global headquarters from London to Dubai and appointed Luuk Strijers as CEO. He brings extensive industry experience to lead strategic growth initiatives.
Highlighting the advanced regulatory framework of the VARA, Strijers hopes to leverage Deribit’s strong position in the crypto options market to drive innovation and serve institutional and qualified investors. Deribit is committed to growth and a leadership position in the market, and the expansion to Dubai and the addition of non-executive directors Willem Meijer and Dennis Dijkstra underscore this commitment.
Learn more about Deribit’s strategic initiatives and plans for the future as the company navigates regulatory advancements and strengthens its market position in digital assets.
Markus Kegler, Director of CMC Markets Germany, announces resignation
Markus Kegler, Director of CMC Markets Germany, has announced his resignation from the company after holding the role for over four years. Kegler expresses gratitude for the enriching experiences and acknowledges the warm farewell from his colleagues. CMC Markets published an upbeat forecast last month, with net operating profit expected to exceed previous estimates for the 2024 financial year due to strategic measures to improve financial performance.
Despite a challenging start to the financial year marked by declining revenues and workforce reduction initiatives, CMC Markets remains optimistic about its future financial prospects. The company is focused on global expansion and has launched an equity investment platform in Singapore, demonstrating resilience to changing market conditions.
Learn more about Markus Kegler’s departure from CMC Markets Germany and the company’s strategic initiatives aimed at sustaining global growth and expanding its presence.