This week has been quite exciting, featuring a notable increase in executive appointments within the forex, crypto, and fintech sectors. This trend underscores the evolving landscape of financial technology.

The latest key leadership appointments in the financial sector include Don Montanaro as President at Firstrade, Louis Bridger became the Head of Business Development at CFI Financial, Simon Bladon, named as the incoming UK CEO at PayPal, Anthony Denier, appointed to Group President, at Webull, Kathleen Brooks elevated to Research Director at XTB UK, Thomas Restout has taken over as Group CEO at B2C2, and Eren Eraslan assumes the role of Head of Northern Europe at IG Europe GmbH. These appointments reflect strategic moves within the financial sector, aimed at leveraging the expertise and experience of key leaders to drive growth and innovation.

Explore the dynamic world of executive moves in the fields of forex, cryptocurrency, and fintech with our weekly roundup. Delve into the ever-evolving landscape of executive transitions within the financial technology sector.

Executive Moves of the Week

Firstrade Names Trading Veteran with 30 Years of Experience as New President

Don Montanaro, a seasoned figure in the online trading industry, has assumed the role of President at Firstrade, the US-based online brokerage firm. With an impressive track record spanning over three decades, Montanaro brings expertise in strategic planning, marketing, risk management, and regulatory compliance to his new position. He founded TradeKing, a company later acquired by Ally Financial in 2016, before holding key positions at Ally, Velocity Capital, and 8 Securities.

Since August 2019, he has served as a Non-Executive Director at the neobank BUX. As President, Montanaro's responsibilities include supporting Firstrade's existing and prospective clients and driving growth initiatives.

Firstrade, a registered member of the USA FINRA, offers commission-free trading and no-fee IRAs to retail investors, equipping them with advanced tools to navigate their financial futures. The company has recently announced plans to introduce fractional shares, a move aligned with industry trends. Although initially scheduled for December, the launch may be temporarily delayed.

Display more about Don Montanaro's appointment and Firstrade's efforts to remain at the forefront of the online brokerage industry.

CFI with Key Hire: Louis Bridger Heads Business Development in Dubai

CFI Financial, a leading online trading provider in the MENA region, has appointed Louis Bridger as the Head of Business Development. With a remarkable 17-year career in the Financial Services industry, Bridger is set to play a pivotal role in driving CFI's growth and expanding its global presence in both new and existing markets. His impressive track record includes contributions to renowned international brands, such as IG, ICE, Travelex, Wonga, and Betfair.

Louis Bridger's extensive experience positions him as a valuable asset to CFI during this crucial phase of strategic global expansion. His previous leadership roles, including overseeing IG's business in the UK and serving as the General Manager for the UK & Ireland at ICE, demonstrate his adeptness in navigating the complex financial industry landscape. Bridger's proficiency in launching and cultivating business units, leading dynamic teams, fostering P&L growth, and establishing significant global partnerships underscores his qualifications for the role.

Reveal more about CFI's strategic leadership changes and its vision for continued growth in the global financial market.

PayPal Appoints Barclays Executive Simon Bladon as New UK CEO

PayPal has announced the appointment of Simon Bladon, formerly the Managing Director of Customer and Digital at Barclays, as its incoming UK CEO, pending regulatory approval. Bladon, a seasoned veteran with over a decade of experience at Barclays, brings a wealth of leadership expertise to his new role. During his tenure at Barclays, he held various key positions, including Managing Director of Customer and Digital, Head of Operations and Control, and leadership roles in regulatory compliance.

Bladon played a crucial role in establishing Barclays Ventures in 2018, focusing on leveraging technology, data, and strategic partnerships to create transformative business lines. His contributions extended to strategic transformation programs such as the Barclays Brexit License Application and the implementation of the Senior Managers Regime. Additionally, he served as a non-executive director at Aqua Air Ltd, a family business specializing in cleaning solutions, where he facilitated its reorganization and sale.

Investigate more about Simon Bladon's appointment as PayPal's UK CEO and the company's entry into the UK cryptocurrency market under these regulatory constraints.

BTIG Reinforces Equity Market Division with New Head

BTIG is taking strategic steps to bolster its equity capital markets division by promoting Michael Passaro to a key leadership role. Passaro's elevation is part of BTIG's broader initiative to expand its capabilities in equity capital markets and related investment banking services. As Anton LeRoy, BTIG's CEO, noted, Passaro's expertise will drive growth and expansion in this division, offering clients innovative transactional solutions through their extensive distribution network.

Since joining BTIG in 2020, Passaro has already made significant contributions to the firm's equity capital markets group, drawing from his prior experience at Deutsche Bank and Raymond James, where he specialized in equities transactions for venture capital and private equity funds.

This promotion is part of BTIG's ongoing hiring spree to reinforce its equity capital markets team. The addition of Anthony Faria as Director of ECM further emphasizes BTIG's commitment to enhancing ECM origination and execution. Faria, with a background that includes positions at RBC, UBS, and Wells Fargo, brings valuable experience to the team.

Find out more about BTIG's strategic moves to strengthen its equity capital markets division and expand its global footprint in the financial industry.

CMC Markets Names New Singapore Head to Focus on CFDs Growth

London-based CMC Markets (LON: CMCX) is intensifying its efforts in the Asia-Pacific region by appointing Kurt Mayell as the Head of CMC Markets Singapore. Mayell, who previously worked with the APAC entity, has taken on this role to spearhead the expansion of CMC Markets' contracts for differences (CFDs) business in Singapore. The Singaporean entity, regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has been offering CFDs since 2017.

Kurt Mayell's mission in his new position is to execute the company's overarching business strategy, fostering a shared vision within the team. He aims to explore opportunities, both significant and minor, to enhance the business and its offerings, with a focus on meeting the trading and investment needs of valued customers.

Mayell's career journey includes roles at CMC Markets in APAC & Canada, where he served as a Senior Sales Trader and in Quantitative Strategy for Equity Hedge Desk. His extensive portfolio knowledge and experience make him a valuable asset to CMC Markets' growth and expansion. The Founder and CEO of CMC Markets, Peter Cruddas, views Singapore as a strategic market for the company, emphasizing its position as a leading platform for online CFDs and forex trading.

Identify more about Kurt Mayell's appointment and CMC Markets' strategic focus on Singapore's financial markets.

Webull Names Anthony Denier Group President to Spearhead Global Growth

Webull, the prominent commission-free trading platform, has appointed Anthony Denier as the Group President, responsible for overseeing the company's global regulated businesses and licensed broker-dealers. Denier, previously Webull's US CEO, brings over six years of successful leadership to this new role. Under his guidance, Webull has achieved a remarkable milestone with 40 million global downloads.

In his expanded capacity as the Group President, Denier will lead strategic initiatives, with a focus on expanding the company's US headquarters, facilitating access to global capital markets, and strengthening global compliance efforts. As a founding member of Webull US, Denier's extensive experience and adept management skills make him well-suited to navigate the evolving landscape of the brokerage industry.

Before joining Webull, Denier held key positions in the financial sector. He served as the CEO of LXM USA LLP at LXM Group, a London-based financial services provider specializing in research-driven equity and credit brokerage. Additionally, Denier has a background in international sales trading, with roles at JonesTrading and ING. His impressive financial leadership journey has positioned him as a valuable asset in driving Webull's continued success.

Expose more about Anthony Denier's journey and Webull's commitment to innovation and global expansion.

iSAM Securities Promotes Global Sales Head to MD, Quant Trading Head to CIO

iSAM Securities, formerly known as ISAM Capital Markets, has announced strategic promotions within its leadership team. Samuel Johnson, who previously served as the Global Head of Sales at the company since joining in September 2023, has been promoted to the role of Managing Director. Concurrently, Ryan Poole, who has been at the helm of Quantitative Trading for the past five years, now assumes the position of Chief Investment Officer (CIO).

Samuel Johnson's career journey is notable, as he embarked on his professional path at UBS and steadily climbed the ranks over fourteen years. His roles at UBS ranged from Analyst to Director, handling critical functions like Credit Repo Trading and FX Spot G10 Trading. Johnson's appointment as Managing Director at iSAM Securities underscores the company's commitment to tapping into top talent within the industry and fostering innovation.

Ryan Poole, the newly appointed CIO, brings a wealth of quantitative trading experience from institutions like Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas. His promotion reflects iSAM Securities' proactive approach to adapting to evolving market dynamics and client demands in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Learn more about iSAM Securities' leadership transitions and its strategic vision for the future.

Sara Cass Takes Helm as Chief Compliance Officer at IFX Payments

IFX Payments has made a strategic move to fortify its compliance efforts by appointing Sara Cass as the Chief Compliance Officer. With over 15 years of extensive experience in the financial services sector, Cass brings a remarkable track record of leading compliance functions at prominent organizations. Her recent role as the Chief Compliance Officer at REGIS-TR UK showcased her ability to craft and execute comprehensive compliance strategies for a global fintech innovator. Prior to this, she contributed significantly to the Compliance and Risk division at Heronbridge Investment Management LLP.

Cass's expertise in compliance was further honed during her tenure at WorldFirst, where she held key positions, including Head of Group Compliance and Regional Compliance Officer of EMEA. Her educational background, highlighted by a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Imperial College London, underscores her strong academic foundation. In her new role at IFX Payments, she will lead the compliance team in upholding the company's already high standards. IFX Payments has a strong commitment to compliance, and Cass's appointment is expected to further solidify the company's position as an industry leader. The CEO, Will Marwick, expressed his confidence in Cass's ability to elevate compliance standards, emphasizing her experience and passion for tackling fraud.

Discover more about Sara Cass's role in enhancing compliance at IFX Payments and the company's commitment to industry best practices.

Admirals Group Shuffles Board Structure, Ousts CRO from Management Board

Admirals Group AS, a prominent forex and contracts for differences (CFDs) brokerage based in Estonia, recently implemented significant changes in its board structure. These changes involved Anton Tikhomirov and Daniel Skowronski. Tikhomirov, formerly a member of the supervisory board, has transitioned to the management board, effective from 4 January 2024. Simultaneously, Daniel Skowronski, the Chief Revenue Officer, was removed from the management board.

In the corporate hierarchy, the management board is responsible for overseeing the company's operations and setting its strategic course, while the supervisory board plays a role in appointments and provides guidance. Admirals' board reshuffling was initiated by the supervisory board. Alongside Tikhomirov, the Admirals' management board comprises Sergei Bogatenkov, Andres Ioannou, and Andrey Koks. The supervisory board includes members, such as Alexander Tsikhilov, Anatolii Mikhalchenko, Dmitri Lauš, and Priit Rohumaa.

Anton Tikhomirov's career journey includes joining Admirals Markets Group in 2012, where he served as the Regional Director for the LATAM region. He subsequently expanded business activities in Spain and Latin America. Prior to his role at the Estonia-based group, he served as the General Director of the Russian subsidiary of Admirals. His career began in 1999 at Russia-based UMIS.

Display more about the strategic changes at Admirals Group AS and their potential implications in the forex and CFDs brokerage sector.

Pepperstone Welcomes Dianah Njeri Igati as Regional Head of Compliance

Pepperstone, a global Forex and CFDs broker, has made a strategic move by appointing Dianah Njeri Igati as the Regional Head of Compliance. In her new role, Igati will oversee regulatory compliance and AML/CFT risk compliance functions across multiple regions, including Australia, UAE, Asia-Pacific, LATAM, Middle-East, and Bahamas.

Dianah Njeri Igati brings a wealth of expertise to Pepperstone, with a background in compliance and legal roles. Her responsibilities encompass compliance with regulatory bodies such as the Australian Securities & Investment Commission, Dubai Financial Services Authority, Securities Commission of The Bahamas, and the Financial Services Commission (Mauritius). Her previous experience as the General Counsel, Chief Compliance & MLRO at Scope Markets of Kenya demonstrates her proficiency in governance, operational procedures, and compliance implementation.

Additionally, her tenure as the Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer at EGM Securities highlights her skill in monitoring and implementing controls for financial crimes. In a broader context, Pepperstone's appointment of Igati underscores the company's commitment to robust compliance and regulatory adherence, a crucial aspect of the financial services industry.

Reveal more about Pepperstone's strategic moves and their focus on compliance in the global financial market.

XTB UK Enhances Leadership with Finance Veteran from GAIN Capital and FOREX.com

XTB UK has appointed Kathleen Brooks as its Research Director, strengthening its leadership team. Brooks, with nearly 15 years of experience in the financial markets, has worked with major retail trading and investment firms in London. Her career includes roles at GAIN Capital, City Index, and Forex.com, where she established herself as a respected expert in financial markets analysis, often featured in global media outlets like the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal.

In her new role at XTB UK, Brooks will lead the research team, providing valuable analysis of global financial markets to assist clients in making informed investment decisions. This move coincides with XTB's expansion of its product range to include commission-free stocks and ETFs, catering to long-term investors. XTB's UK Director, Joshua Raymond, emphasized that Brooks' expertise will enhance the company's research offerings and provide clients with top-notch market insights.

Brooks herself expressed excitement about joining one of the world's leading fintech investment providers and highlighted the significance of major events in 2024, such as elections and geopolitics, that will impact markets. She stressed the importance of staying informed to make well-informed investment decisions. XTB has been making significant hires recently, including a robotics expert for its new artificial intelligence department, aiming to streamline business processes and trading tools for traders.

Investigate more about Kathleen Brooks' role at XTB UK and the company's expansion in the financial services industry.

B2C2 Replaces Nicola White with Thomas Restout as Group CEO

B2C2, a prominent cryptocurrency market-maker owned by Japan's SBI Holdings, has witnessed a change in leadership as Thomas Restout assumes the role of Group CEO, succeeding Nicola White. This leadership transition marks an internal promotion, with Restout previously serving as the CEO of EMEA. Nicola White's departure from the company came quietly at the end of December, as indicated on her LinkedIn profile. She had joined B2C2 in July 2021 and was subsequently promoted to the apex role in November 2022. The details of her next professional endeavor remain undisclosed.

Commenting on Restout's appointment, Max Boonen, the Co-Founder of B2C2, noted: "Thomas, an early supporter of B2C2, was already a rising star when we met on the trading floor ten years ago. His stellar career in TradFi has given him a fantastic foundation to support our clients in the crypto space." Restout, an early investor in B2C2, brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked at institutions like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.

Restout's appointment reflects B2C2's commitment to strengthening its position as a leading liquidity provider in the crypto markets. The company, acquired by SBI Holdings in 2020, has rapidly gained prominence in the cryptocurrency OTC and market-making sector, positioning itself to capitalize on the growth in institutional cryptocurrency trading.

Find out more about Thomas Restout's vision for B2C2 and its continued role in the evolving digital assets ecosystem.

Eren Eraslan Assumes as Head of Northern Europe at IG

Eren Eraslan, a seasoned professional in the financial industry, has recently taken on the role of Head of Northern Europe at IG Europe GmbH, showcasing his extensive leadership experience. Eraslan's career journey has been marked by notable achievements and contributions.

Notably, he served as the Head of Germany and Austria at IG Deutschland from June 2022 to January 2024 when his leadership in Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany, played a pivotal role in the company's operations. His tenure at IG Deutschland, spanning one year and eight months, was marked by outstanding leadership and contributions. Prior to IG Deutschland, Eraslan held key positions at Spectrum Markets, serving as the Head of Product and later as the Head of Product Innovation. During this time, he demonstrated expertise in driving product development and innovation within the financial sector.

Eraslan's diverse professional journey also includes a significant role at IG for more than four years. Starting as an MTF Analyst in London, Greater London, he later transitioned to Senior Sales Trader, showcasing his adaptability and versatility within the industry.

Identify more about Eren Eraslan's career journey and IG's leadership changes in the financial industry.