This week, the number of executive moves significantly dropped compared to the previous busy week. Still, notable appointments, promotions, and exits were witnessed in the fintech, regulation, forex, and proprietary trading sectors.
The number of executive moves dropped compared to last week. Notable moves came from the fintech, regulation, forex, and proprietary trading sectors.
FINRA boosted enforcement team with two new Senior VP appointments;
After 6 Years at OANDA, James Abbott became Chief Revenue Officer for the UK
Division; eToro named new US Head as Lule Demmissie stepped down; IG Group promoted
Chris Old as Head of Organic Growth; Tether picked Chainalysis' Former
Economist as New Head of Economics; Exante welcomed Oscar Tsui as Hong Kong
Regional Head; Prop Trading Firm FunderPro onboarded Tools for Brokers'
Ex-Cyprus Head.
Check out this week's executive moves, featuring key appointments, promotions, and exits from top industry brands.
Executive Moves of the Week
FINRA Boosts Enforcement Team with Two New Senior VP Appointments
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) appointed Julie Glynn and Tina Gubb as Senior Vice Presidents of Enforcement. FINRA expects the new appointments will enhance the organization’s mission to protect investors and maintain market integrity. Glynn and Gubb bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their new roles.
Julie Glynn, Source: LinkedIn
Reporting directly to Bill St. Louis, the Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement, the two will act as senior legal advisors. They will oversee high-impact investigations and disciplinary actions across the enforcement department. Glynn and Gubb will also lead the enforcement attorney teams and collaborate with FINRA’s regulatory operations to support the organization-wide execution of its mission. Their responsibilities include overseeing four chief counsel enforcement teams each, with Glynn also overseeing enforcement litigation.
After 6 Years at OANDA, Abbott Becomes Chief Revenue Officer of The UK Division
James Abbott, with over a decade of experience in the retail trading industry, was promoted to the position of Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at the London office of OANDA. This is Abbott's fourth position within the company since joining at the end of 2018.
Abbott joined OANDA UK in November 2018 as a High-Net-Worth Relationship Manager for the UK and EMEA region. He has held the role of Head of Sales in the British division for the past two years. Previously, he worked at LCG at the private client desk for three months. At the beginning of his career, he was associated with Ascendo Markets for over five years as an Equity Trader and later as Head of Desk Trading.
eToro Names New US Head as Lule Demmissie Steps Down
Lule Demmissie stepped down as CEO of eToro's US operations,
and Andrew McCormick will replace her as Head of eToro US. The brokerage
confirmed to Finance Magnates that McCormick will assume the new role on 1
August 2024. Despite her departure, she will continue to be with the broker in
an advisory capacity for the rest of the year.
Andrew McCormick (left) and Lule Demmissie (middle).
Demmissie took over as the CEO of eToro’s US operations in
September 2023. She joined the broker from Ally Investing, where she served as
President and oversaw the Ally Invest Securities, Ally Invest Advisors, and API
business lines. Before Ally Invest, Demmissie worked for several other leading
financial firms, including TD Ameritrade, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and
JPMorgan.
IG Group Promotes Chris Old as Head of Organic Growth
Chris Old started a new role as the Head of Organic Growth
at IG Group. Old, who is based in London, has been with the group for more than
six years in different positions. He joined the company in 2021 as SEO Manager
for the UK. Subsequently, he rose through the ranks, serving as the SEO Manager
for EMEA and SEO Lead for IG.com before his latest appointment.
Chris Old, Source: LinkedIn
IG Group has recently experienced other notable executive
moves. The group's Global Institutional Marketing Manager, Tomas Ausra, was
recently named the Head of Marketing for IG Prime, the entity's institutional
arm. Ausra will spearhead IG Prime's brand marketing activities worldwide.
Tether Picks Chainalysis' Former Economist as New Head of Economics
Stablecoin issuer Tether appointed Philip Gradwell, the
former Chief Economist at Chainalysis, as its new Head of Economics. Gradwell
brings over six years of experience analyzing digital assets from his tenure at
Chainalysis, a blockchain analytics firm. He has a background in blockchain
research, data science, and product development, besides his engagement with
regulators.
Speaking about the new hire, Paolo Ardoino, the CEO of
Tether, mentioned: "We are thrilled to welcome Philip to the Tether team.
His extensive experience and proven track record in the digital asset space
make him the ideal person to lead our economic analysis efforts. Philip's
expertise will enable Tether to bring even further understanding to our
indispensable role in supporting the dollar."
Exante Welcomes Oscar Tsui as Hong Kong Regional Head
Exante appointed Oscar Tsui, an experienced financial
services expert, as its new Regional Head to strengthen its presence in Hong
Kong. With more than two decades of experience and important roles across Asia,
Tsui's leadership is expected to drive Exante's growth in the region.
According to the official statement, this appointment is
under Exante's Hong Kong entity XHK Ltd. Tsui, with a wide background spanning
over 20 years in financial services, will lead business development efforts in
the region.
Prop Trading Firm FunderPro Onboards Tools for Brokers' Ex-Cyprus Head
Lastly, Petros Kalaitzis left his role at Tools for Brokers
to join FunderPro, a company offering prop trading services, as its new Chief
Strategy Officer. With over a decade of experience in the financial technology
sector, Kalaitzis brings a wealth of knowledge to FunderPro.
Petros Kalaitzis, Source: LinkedIn
Kalaitzis will oversee the Operations and Marketing
departments in his new role, ensuring that all initiatives align with the
company's long-term vision and immediate objectives. The company expects his
extensive expertise to guide FunderPro in navigating the financial services
space.
The number of executive moves dropped compared to last week. Notable moves came from the fintech, regulation, forex, and proprietary trading sectors.
FINRA boosted enforcement team with two new Senior VP appointments;
After 6 Years at OANDA, James Abbott became Chief Revenue Officer for the UK
Division; eToro named new US Head as Lule Demmissie stepped down; IG Group promoted
Chris Old as Head of Organic Growth; Tether picked Chainalysis' Former
Economist as New Head of Economics; Exante welcomed Oscar Tsui as Hong Kong
Regional Head; Prop Trading Firm FunderPro onboarded Tools for Brokers'
Ex-Cyprus Head.
Check out this week's executive moves, featuring key appointments, promotions, and exits from top industry brands.
Executive Moves of the Week
FINRA Boosts Enforcement Team with Two New Senior VP Appointments
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) appointed Julie Glynn and Tina Gubb as Senior Vice Presidents of Enforcement. FINRA expects the new appointments will enhance the organization’s mission to protect investors and maintain market integrity. Glynn and Gubb bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their new roles.
Julie Glynn, Source: LinkedIn
Reporting directly to Bill St. Louis, the Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement, the two will act as senior legal advisors. They will oversee high-impact investigations and disciplinary actions across the enforcement department. Glynn and Gubb will also lead the enforcement attorney teams and collaborate with FINRA’s regulatory operations to support the organization-wide execution of its mission. Their responsibilities include overseeing four chief counsel enforcement teams each, with Glynn also overseeing enforcement litigation.
After 6 Years at OANDA, Abbott Becomes Chief Revenue Officer of The UK Division
James Abbott, with over a decade of experience in the retail trading industry, was promoted to the position of Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at the London office of OANDA. This is Abbott's fourth position within the company since joining at the end of 2018.
Abbott joined OANDA UK in November 2018 as a High-Net-Worth Relationship Manager for the UK and EMEA region. He has held the role of Head of Sales in the British division for the past two years. Previously, he worked at LCG at the private client desk for three months. At the beginning of his career, he was associated with Ascendo Markets for over five years as an Equity Trader and later as Head of Desk Trading.
eToro Names New US Head as Lule Demmissie Steps Down
Lule Demmissie stepped down as CEO of eToro's US operations,
and Andrew McCormick will replace her as Head of eToro US. The brokerage
confirmed to Finance Magnates that McCormick will assume the new role on 1
August 2024. Despite her departure, she will continue to be with the broker in
an advisory capacity for the rest of the year.
Andrew McCormick (left) and Lule Demmissie (middle).
Demmissie took over as the CEO of eToro’s US operations in
September 2023. She joined the broker from Ally Investing, where she served as
President and oversaw the Ally Invest Securities, Ally Invest Advisors, and API
business lines. Before Ally Invest, Demmissie worked for several other leading
financial firms, including TD Ameritrade, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and
JPMorgan.
IG Group Promotes Chris Old as Head of Organic Growth
Chris Old started a new role as the Head of Organic Growth
at IG Group. Old, who is based in London, has been with the group for more than
six years in different positions. He joined the company in 2021 as SEO Manager
for the UK. Subsequently, he rose through the ranks, serving as the SEO Manager
for EMEA and SEO Lead for IG.com before his latest appointment.
Chris Old, Source: LinkedIn
IG Group has recently experienced other notable executive
moves. The group's Global Institutional Marketing Manager, Tomas Ausra, was
recently named the Head of Marketing for IG Prime, the entity's institutional
arm. Ausra will spearhead IG Prime's brand marketing activities worldwide.
Tether Picks Chainalysis' Former Economist as New Head of Economics
Stablecoin issuer Tether appointed Philip Gradwell, the
former Chief Economist at Chainalysis, as its new Head of Economics. Gradwell
brings over six years of experience analyzing digital assets from his tenure at
Chainalysis, a blockchain analytics firm. He has a background in blockchain
research, data science, and product development, besides his engagement with
regulators.
Speaking about the new hire, Paolo Ardoino, the CEO of
Tether, mentioned: "We are thrilled to welcome Philip to the Tether team.
His extensive experience and proven track record in the digital asset space
make him the ideal person to lead our economic analysis efforts. Philip's
expertise will enable Tether to bring even further understanding to our
indispensable role in supporting the dollar."
Exante Welcomes Oscar Tsui as Hong Kong Regional Head
Exante appointed Oscar Tsui, an experienced financial
services expert, as its new Regional Head to strengthen its presence in Hong
Kong. With more than two decades of experience and important roles across Asia,
Tsui's leadership is expected to drive Exante's growth in the region.
According to the official statement, this appointment is
under Exante's Hong Kong entity XHK Ltd. Tsui, with a wide background spanning
over 20 years in financial services, will lead business development efforts in
the region.
Prop Trading Firm FunderPro Onboards Tools for Brokers' Ex-Cyprus Head
Lastly, Petros Kalaitzis left his role at Tools for Brokers
to join FunderPro, a company offering prop trading services, as its new Chief
Strategy Officer. With over a decade of experience in the financial technology
sector, Kalaitzis brings a wealth of knowledge to FunderPro.
Petros Kalaitzis, Source: LinkedIn
Kalaitzis will oversee the Operations and Marketing
departments in his new role, ensuring that all initiatives align with the
company's long-term vision and immediate objectives. The company expects his
extensive expertise to guide FunderPro in navigating the financial services
space.
Retail Broker FXTRADING Appoints Institutional Veteran Adam Phillips as CEO
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers
Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers
When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers.
This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025.
Key Themes:
- Building trader communities through education and local expertise
- Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies
- Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition
- What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets
-Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill
-Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers.
This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025.
Key Themes:
- Building trader communities through education and local expertise
- Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies
- Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition
- What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets
-Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill
-Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
The Leap to Everything App: Are Brokers There Yet?
The Leap to Everything App: Are Brokers There Yet?
As the arms race to bundle investing, personal finance, and wallets under super apps grows fiercer, brokers are caught between a rock and a hard place.
This session explores unexpected ways for industry players to collaborate as consumer habits evolve, competitors eye the traffic, and regulation becomes more nuanced.
Speakers:
-Laura McCracken,CEO | Advisory Board Member at Blackheath Advisors | The Payments Association
-Slobodan Manojlović,Vice President | Lead Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
-Jordan Sinclair, President at Robinhood UK
-Simon Pelletier, Head of Product at Yuh
Gerald Perez, CEO at Interactive Brokers UK
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As the arms race to bundle investing, personal finance, and wallets under super apps grows fiercer, brokers are caught between a rock and a hard place.
This session explores unexpected ways for industry players to collaborate as consumer habits evolve, competitors eye the traffic, and regulation becomes more nuanced.
Speakers:
-Laura McCracken,CEO | Advisory Board Member at Blackheath Advisors | The Payments Association
-Slobodan Manojlović,Vice President | Lead Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
-Jordan Sinclair, President at Robinhood UK
-Simon Pelletier, Head of Product at Yuh
Gerald Perez, CEO at Interactive Brokers UK
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Mind The Gap: Can Retail Investors Save the UK Stock Market?
Mind The Gap: Can Retail Investors Save the UK Stock Market?
As the dire state of listing and investment in the UK goes from a financial services problem to a national challenge, the retail investing industry is taken to task.
Join a host of executives and experts for a candid conversation about the future of millions of Brits, as seen from a financial services standpoint:
-Are they happy with the Leeds Reform, in principle and in practice?
-Is it the government’s job to affect the ‘saver’ mentality? Is it doing well?
-What can brokers and fintechs do to spur UK investment?
-How can the FCA balance greater flexibility with consumer protection?
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Nicola Higgs, Partner at Latham & Watkins
-Dan Lane, Investment Content Lead at Robinhood UK
-Jack Crone, PR & Public Affairs Lead at IG
-David Belle, Founder at Fink Money
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #RetailInvesting #UKFinance
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As the dire state of listing and investment in the UK goes from a financial services problem to a national challenge, the retail investing industry is taken to task.
Join a host of executives and experts for a candid conversation about the future of millions of Brits, as seen from a financial services standpoint:
-Are they happy with the Leeds Reform, in principle and in practice?
-Is it the government’s job to affect the ‘saver’ mentality? Is it doing well?
-What can brokers and fintechs do to spur UK investment?
-How can the FCA balance greater flexibility with consumer protection?
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Nicola Higgs, Partner at Latham & Watkins
-Dan Lane, Investment Content Lead at Robinhood UK
-Jack Crone, PR & Public Affairs Lead at IG
-David Belle, Founder at Fink Money
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #RetailInvesting #UKFinance
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
