flatexDEGIRO AG, a European online brokerage firm, has announced the appointment of Oliver Behrens as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2024. The appointment is for a period of three years. Behrens will also assume the role of CEO at flatexDEGIRO Bank AG.

Behrens brings four decades of experience in the European financial sector. His career includes extensive experience in brokerage and a strong network in international finance and politics.

Former Morgan Stanley Leader

From 2015 to June 2024, Behrens served as CEO of Morgan Stanley Europe Holding SE, Morgan Stanley Europe SE, and Morgan Stanley Bank AG in Frankfurt am Main. He was also a Board Member at Morgan Stanley International Limited in London.

Prior to this, Behrens was a Member of the Board at Deka-Bank from 2005 to 2014, where he held the position of Deputy CEO. His earlier career includes roles at DWS Group, DWS, and Deutsche Asset Management, where he was the Spokesman of the Management Board of Deutsche Asset Management Investment GmbH.

Since June 2024, Behrens has been serving as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA.

“The European online brokerage business is still in its early innings, holding enormous potential for growth and value enhancement,” Behrens commented.

“Together with flatexDEGIRO’s strong leadership team, I am very much looking forward to leading the company into the next phase of its evolution, further enhancing the investment experience for millions of clients across 16 countries while firmly establishing flatexDEGIRO as the driving force in the European online brokerage market,” he continued.

Outlines Growth Plans

Behrens replaces Benon Janos and Stephan Simmang, who have been serving as interim Co-CEOs since May 1, 2024. Janos and Simmang will continue in their roles as CFO and CTO, respectively.

Martin Korbmacher, Chairman of flatexDEGIRO’s Supervisory Board, said: “On behalf of the whole Supervisory Board, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Janos and Simmang for stepping up and taking on additional responsibilities as Co-CEOs during the past months, ensuring a professional and orderly transition after the departure of the former CEO.”

He further expressed, “The Supervisory Board is very much looking forward to extend the great collaboration over the coming years and expressly thanks Janos and Simmang for their leadership and integrity, especially during this critical transition phase.”