Key Executive Moves in Financial Industry: Binance, Morgan Stanley, Kraken, and More

Key Executive Moves in Financial Industry: Binance, Morgan Stanley, Kraken, and More

Time Stamp: November 4, 2023 7:00 PM
Key Executive Moves in Financial Industry: Binance, Morgan Stanley, Kraken, and More PlatoBlockchain Data Intelligence. Vertical Search. Ai.

In this week’s financial executive moves, we see a lot of pickup in the forex, crypto, and fintech industries. This consists of Nomura Europe’s CEO change, Revolut’s UK CEO appointment, CFI promotions, Exegy’s CRO, XS.com’s support manager, Go Markets’ director addition, Blueberry Markets’ new hire, Kraken’s UK MD, and Morgan Stanley’s new CEO. Let’s review this uptick with the executives who have taken on recent roles and challenges in our executive moves roundup of the week.

Michał Ftouni

Zondacrypto Expands Team: Onboards New Head of Sales

Zondacrypto, the cryptocurrency startup, has appointed Michał Ftouni as its new Head of Sales. Ftouni, with a background in achieving revenue growth for payment companies like GPN Data and Global Primex, brings valuable experience to the role. His journey into cryptocurrencies began in 2017, making him an advocate of blockchain innovation.

Before joining Zondacrypto, Ftouni served as the Chief Commercial Officer at Global Primex Europe and Director of Business Development at GPN Data. His academic qualifications include MSc degrees in International Business & Management and International Strategic Management.

In related news, Zondacrypto recently acquired a coveted over-the-counter (OTC) license in Switzerland, a significant step in its European expansion. The company offers various cryptocurrency exchange services and has received licenses in Slovakia, Italy, and Lithuania. Zondacrypto is committed to bridging Web2 and Web3 technology and plans to launch its native token and introduce its exchange service.

Discover more about Zondacrypto’s new Head of Sales and its expansion plans in the cryptocurrency market.

Shogo Ohira

Leadership Changes at
Nomura Financial Products Europe

Nomura
Financial Products Europe has announced the retirement of CEO Markus Sauerland,
with Shogo Ohira set to take over the role. Ohira, who has a long-standing
career with Nomura, will also maintain his position as Country Head of Germany.

Christoph
Heins, a recent addition from Commerzbank, will become Deputy CEO. These
leadership changes are part of Nomura’s strategic positioning in the European
market, with the transition supported by Sauerland’s advisory role until the
end of the financial year

Francesca Carlesi

Revolut Hires UK CEO Ahead of Banking License Approval

Revolut has taken a significant step in its quest for a UK banking license by appointing Francesca Carlesi as CEO of its UK division. The digital banking pioneer has been awaiting approval for over two years. Carlesi’s appointment underscores Revolut’s determination to expand its presence in its home market.

She expressed enthusiasm for her role, stating, “Revolut is the future of digital banking.”

The fintech, valued at $33 billion, has experienced some valuation fluctuations in secondary deals but remains the most valued fintech in the UK. While operating in the EU with a Lithuanian license, the UK remains its top revenue-generating market. The appointment of Carlesi, with her extensive banking and fintech experience, reflects Revolut’s strategic push.

Discern more about Revolut’s pursuit of a UK banking license and its strategic appointment of Francesca Carlesi as CEO.

Karim Malas

CFI Financial Group Announces Key Leadership Promotions

CFI Financial Group, a prominent financial services provider, is undergoing strategic leadership changes. Karim Malas, formerly the COO, has been promoted to Group COO, where he will shape global operational strategies and enhance efficiency. Meanwhile, Loay Azar, the former CEO of CFI Jordan, steps into the role of CEO for the Middle East and MENA region, spearheading strategic expansion and collaboration with local CEOs.

Both leaders are enthusiastic about their new roles and are committed to driving innovation and growth.

Read more about the strategic leadership changes at CFI Financial Group and their impact on the company’s global growth and operational effectiveness.

Brian Pomraning

Exegy Welcomes Brian Pomraning as Chief Revenue Officer

Exegy, a market data and advanced trading solutions company, has appointed Brian Pomraning as its Chief Revenue Officer. Pomraning, with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, has a diverse background encompassing product management, technology, sales, and marketing. He has previously held roles at major financial institutions like JP Morgan, Barclays, and Lehman Brothers.

This strategic move is part of Exegy’s commitment to bolster its leadership team and provide enhanced trading solutions to global capital markets.

Reveal more about Brian Pomraning’s appointment and Exegy’s focus on strengthening its leadership to meet the evolving needs of the financial industry.

Pavlina Zinonos

XS.com Appoints New Senior
Customer Support Manager

XS.com, a
global FinTech and financial services provider, has announced the appointment
of Pavlina Zinonos as their new Senior Customer Support Manager. Zinonos brings
over 15 years of industry experience to the role and is known for her
consistent performance.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the XS Group,
an organization that shares my values of transparency and excellence in
customer support,” Zinonos commented. “I see a strong alignment between my personal values and
XS.com’s mission to provide exceptional service and support to our clients. I
look forward to working closely with the team and contributing to the company’s
commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences.”

She will
lead a team of professionals in delivering top-notch customer support. Her
appointment aligns with XS.com’s mission to provide exceptional service and
support to its clients.

Victor Zachariades

Victor Zachariades Joins Go Markets Ltd Board of Directors

The Experienced FX executive Victor Zachariades has joined the Board of Directors of Go Markets Ltd, a Cyprus-based company operating under the Go Markets brand in Europe with a CySEC license. Zachariades brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as Managing Director of EU at Pepperstone and his leadership role at Alpaca in the crypto trading platform sector. His extensive career also includes positions at Libertex Group, FxPro, and TFI Markets.

Go Markets, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, specializes in Forex and CFD trading services, offering a wide range of trading instruments. They manage entities licensed in multiple jurisdictions and have expanded their operations through strategic partnerships, including one with Currencycloud. This partnership aims to enhance client services and provide real-time foreign exchange liquidity.

Uncover more about Victor Zachariades’ appointment to the Board of Directors and Go Markets’ strategic collaborations for growth.

James O’Neill

James O’Neill Joins Blueberry Markets as Senior Executive Former

James O’Neill, formerly the CEO of FairMarkets, has assumed a senior executive position with Australian Retail FX and CFDs broker, Blueberry Markets. His departure from FairMarkets followed its acquisition by the Turkish brokerage group GKFX. O’Neill expressed his excitement about joining Blueberry Markets and praised the company’s culture and growth.

Blueberry Markets, under the leadership of Founder Dean Hyde, introduced a strategic partnership with Signal Centre, offering daily analysis and content to its trading community. This partnership has led to growth in the number of subscribers and email open rates, enhancing the broker’s transparency in financial markets.

Investigate more about James O’Neill’s transition to Blueberry Markets and the broker’s strategic partnership with Signal Centre aimed at enriching trading insights.

Bivu Das

Kraken Bolsters UK Presence with Appointment of New Managing Director

Kraken has named Bivu Das as the Managing Director for the UK, adding his nearly two decades of experience in commercial enterprise and fintech strategy development. Das, who co-founded a crypto startup, joins Kraken as it expands services in the region. His career spans Big Four professional services firms, traditional UK banking institutions, and neobank growth at Starling Bank.

Kraken, with over 275 team members in the UK, holds various licenses, including FCA registration, custodian wallet provision, and crypto derivatives operation. With the UK’s growing interest in cryptocurrencies, Kraken aims to tap into the country’s booming crypto market, which ranks among the world’s top three in terms of cryptocurrency transactions.

Find out more about Bivu Das’s strategic move to Kraken, capitalising on the UK’s crypto enthusiasm.

Ted Pick

Morgan Stanley Appoints
Ted Pick as New CEO

Morgan
Stanley has chosen Ted Pick to succeed James Gorman as its CEO. Pick, who has
been with the firm for three decades, will assume the top role in January. The
current CEO, Gorman will continue to serve as the Executive Chairman.

Pick is
credited with reviving Morgan Stanley’s trading business following the 2008
financial crisis.

Marko Jagustin

Finery Markets Key Appointment: Marko Jagustin Joins as Strategic Advisor

Finery Markets has appointed Marko Jagustin, a seasoned expert in FX and CFD markets, as a Strategic Advisor to their Board. With over two decades of financial sector experience, Jagustin’s previous role as Head of Liquidity Provision at Exness and Managing Director at Alpha Capital showcases his expertise.

His appointment aims to bridge traditional FX and CFD markets with digital assets, aligning with Finery Markets’ vision for the future. Jagustin will lead the expansion into new business segments, leveraging his knowledge to connect different market structures. He praised Finery Markets’ commitment to building a digital assets ecosystem and facilitating strategic partnerships with market players.

Learn more about Marko Jagustin’s role in shaping Finery Markets’ future and connecting traditional and digital financial markets.

Jonathan Farnell

Binance Faces Ongoing Exodus of Key Executives, UK CEO Departs

Jonathan Farnell, the Head of Binance UK and CEO of Bifinity, has left amid the UK’s regulatory crackdown on offshore crypto firms. This follows his role shift to CEO of Eqonex, which ended up in voluntary liquidation.

Farnell’s departure adds to a series of executive exits, including Gleb Kostarev and Vladimir Smerkis in September. Binance.US also saw Brian Shroder resign temporarily, reflecting ongoing regulatory pressure. Notably, Binance faced legal troubles in the US, with allegations of mishandling funds and violating securities regulations. Despite these challenges, no criminal accusations have been made.

Discover more about Binance’s executive departures and its response to regulatory challenges.

In this week’s financial executive moves, we see a lot of pickup in the forex, crypto, and fintech industries. This consists of Nomura Europe’s CEO change, Revolut’s UK CEO appointment, CFI promotions, Exegy’s CRO, XS.com’s support manager, Go Markets’ director addition, Blueberry Markets’ new hire, Kraken’s UK MD, and Morgan Stanley’s new CEO. Let’s review this uptick with the executives who have taken on recent roles and challenges in our executive moves roundup of the week.

Michał Ftouni

Zondacrypto Expands Team: Onboards New Head of Sales

Zondacrypto, the cryptocurrency startup, has appointed Michał Ftouni as its new Head of Sales. Ftouni, with a background in achieving revenue growth for payment companies like GPN Data and Global Primex, brings valuable experience to the role. His journey into cryptocurrencies began in 2017, making him an advocate of blockchain innovation.

Before joining Zondacrypto, Ftouni served as the Chief Commercial Officer at Global Primex Europe and Director of Business Development at GPN Data. His academic qualifications include MSc degrees in International Business & Management and International Strategic Management.

In related news, Zondacrypto recently acquired a coveted over-the-counter (OTC) license in Switzerland, a significant step in its European expansion. The company offers various cryptocurrency exchange services and has received licenses in Slovakia, Italy, and Lithuania. Zondacrypto is committed to bridging Web2 and Web3 technology and plans to launch its native token and introduce its exchange service.

Discover more about Zondacrypto’s new Head of Sales and its expansion plans in the cryptocurrency market.

Shogo Ohira

Leadership Changes at
Nomura Financial Products Europe

Nomura
Financial Products Europe has announced the retirement of CEO Markus Sauerland,
with Shogo Ohira set to take over the role. Ohira, who has a long-standing
career with Nomura, will also maintain his position as Country Head of Germany.

Christoph
Heins, a recent addition from Commerzbank, will become Deputy CEO. These
leadership changes are part of Nomura’s strategic positioning in the European
market, with the transition supported by Sauerland’s advisory role until the
end of the financial year

Francesca Carlesi

Revolut Hires UK CEO Ahead of Banking License Approval

Revolut has taken a significant step in its quest for a UK banking license by appointing Francesca Carlesi as CEO of its UK division. The digital banking pioneer has been awaiting approval for over two years. Carlesi’s appointment underscores Revolut’s determination to expand its presence in its home market.

She expressed enthusiasm for her role, stating, “Revolut is the future of digital banking.”

The fintech, valued at $33 billion, has experienced some valuation fluctuations in secondary deals but remains the most valued fintech in the UK. While operating in the EU with a Lithuanian license, the UK remains its top revenue-generating market. The appointment of Carlesi, with her extensive banking and fintech experience, reflects Revolut’s strategic push.

Discern more about Revolut’s pursuit of a UK banking license and its strategic appointment of Francesca Carlesi as CEO.

Karim Malas

CFI Financial Group Announces Key Leadership Promotions

CFI Financial Group, a prominent financial services provider, is undergoing strategic leadership changes. Karim Malas, formerly the COO, has been promoted to Group COO, where he will shape global operational strategies and enhance efficiency. Meanwhile, Loay Azar, the former CEO of CFI Jordan, steps into the role of CEO for the Middle East and MENA region, spearheading strategic expansion and collaboration with local CEOs.

Both leaders are enthusiastic about their new roles and are committed to driving innovation and growth.

Read more about the strategic leadership changes at CFI Financial Group and their impact on the company’s global growth and operational effectiveness.

Brian Pomraning

Exegy Welcomes Brian Pomraning as Chief Revenue Officer

Exegy, a market data and advanced trading solutions company, has appointed Brian Pomraning as its Chief Revenue Officer. Pomraning, with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, has a diverse background encompassing product management, technology, sales, and marketing. He has previously held roles at major financial institutions like JP Morgan, Barclays, and Lehman Brothers.

This strategic move is part of Exegy’s commitment to bolster its leadership team and provide enhanced trading solutions to global capital markets.

Reveal more about Brian Pomraning’s appointment and Exegy’s focus on strengthening its leadership to meet the evolving needs of the financial industry.

Pavlina Zinonos

XS.com Appoints New Senior
Customer Support Manager

XS.com, a
global FinTech and financial services provider, has announced the appointment
of Pavlina Zinonos as their new Senior Customer Support Manager. Zinonos brings
over 15 years of industry experience to the role and is known for her
consistent performance.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the XS Group,
an organization that shares my values of transparency and excellence in
customer support,” Zinonos commented. “I see a strong alignment between my personal values and
XS.com’s mission to provide exceptional service and support to our clients. I
look forward to working closely with the team and contributing to the company’s
commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences.”

She will
lead a team of professionals in delivering top-notch customer support. Her
appointment aligns with XS.com’s mission to provide exceptional service and
support to its clients.

Victor Zachariades

Victor Zachariades Joins Go Markets Ltd Board of Directors

The Experienced FX executive Victor Zachariades has joined the Board of Directors of Go Markets Ltd, a Cyprus-based company operating under the Go Markets brand in Europe with a CySEC license. Zachariades brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as Managing Director of EU at Pepperstone and his leadership role at Alpaca in the crypto trading platform sector. His extensive career also includes positions at Libertex Group, FxPro, and TFI Markets.

Go Markets, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, specializes in Forex and CFD trading services, offering a wide range of trading instruments. They manage entities licensed in multiple jurisdictions and have expanded their operations through strategic partnerships, including one with Currencycloud. This partnership aims to enhance client services and provide real-time foreign exchange liquidity.

Uncover more about Victor Zachariades’ appointment to the Board of Directors and Go Markets’ strategic collaborations for growth.

James O’Neill

James O’Neill Joins Blueberry Markets as Senior Executive Former

James O’Neill, formerly the CEO of FairMarkets, has assumed a senior executive position with Australian Retail FX and CFDs broker, Blueberry Markets. His departure from FairMarkets followed its acquisition by the Turkish brokerage group GKFX. O’Neill expressed his excitement about joining Blueberry Markets and praised the company’s culture and growth.

Blueberry Markets, under the leadership of Founder Dean Hyde, introduced a strategic partnership with Signal Centre, offering daily analysis and content to its trading community. This partnership has led to growth in the number of subscribers and email open rates, enhancing the broker’s transparency in financial markets.

Investigate more about James O’Neill’s transition to Blueberry Markets and the broker’s strategic partnership with Signal Centre aimed at enriching trading insights.

Bivu Das

Kraken Bolsters UK Presence with Appointment of New Managing Director

Kraken has named Bivu Das as the Managing Director for the UK, adding his nearly two decades of experience in commercial enterprise and fintech strategy development. Das, who co-founded a crypto startup, joins Kraken as it expands services in the region. His career spans Big Four professional services firms, traditional UK banking institutions, and neobank growth at Starling Bank.

Kraken, with over 275 team members in the UK, holds various licenses, including FCA registration, custodian wallet provision, and crypto derivatives operation. With the UK’s growing interest in cryptocurrencies, Kraken aims to tap into the country’s booming crypto market, which ranks among the world’s top three in terms of cryptocurrency transactions.

Find out more about Bivu Das’s strategic move to Kraken, capitalising on the UK’s crypto enthusiasm.

Ted Pick

Morgan Stanley Appoints
Ted Pick as New CEO

Morgan
Stanley has chosen Ted Pick to succeed James Gorman as its CEO. Pick, who has
been with the firm for three decades, will assume the top role in January. The
current CEO, Gorman will continue to serve as the Executive Chairman.

Pick is
credited with reviving Morgan Stanley’s trading business following the 2008
financial crisis.

Marko Jagustin

Finery Markets Key Appointment: Marko Jagustin Joins as Strategic Advisor

Finery Markets has appointed Marko Jagustin, a seasoned expert in FX and CFD markets, as a Strategic Advisor to their Board. With over two decades of financial sector experience, Jagustin’s previous role as Head of Liquidity Provision at Exness and Managing Director at Alpha Capital showcases his expertise.

His appointment aims to bridge traditional FX and CFD markets with digital assets, aligning with Finery Markets’ vision for the future. Jagustin will lead the expansion into new business segments, leveraging his knowledge to connect different market structures. He praised Finery Markets’ commitment to building a digital assets ecosystem and facilitating strategic partnerships with market players.

Learn more about Marko Jagustin’s role in shaping Finery Markets’ future and connecting traditional and digital financial markets.

Jonathan Farnell

Binance Faces Ongoing Exodus of Key Executives, UK CEO Departs

Jonathan Farnell, the Head of Binance UK and CEO of Bifinity, has left amid the UK’s regulatory crackdown on offshore crypto firms. This follows his role shift to CEO of Eqonex, which ended up in voluntary liquidation.

Farnell’s departure adds to a series of executive exits, including Gleb Kostarev and Vladimir Smerkis in September. Binance.US also saw Brian Shroder resign temporarily, reflecting ongoing regulatory pressure. Notably, Binance faced legal troubles in the US, with allegations of mishandling funds and violating securities regulations. Despite these challenges, no criminal accusations have been made.

Discover more about Binance’s executive departures and its response to regulatory challenges.

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