Halliday has a unique background in both elite sports and financial leadership, having earned 23 England caps and held senior roles at Lehman Brothers, Nomura International, and UBS.
In his new role, Halliday will reportedly help MAS Group expand its partnerships in both traditional finance and digital asset markets.
MAS Group has appointed former England rugby
international and senior investment banker Simon Halliday as its new Key
Partnerships Adviser. The move comes as the company looks to strengthen
institutional relationships across its three core divisions: MAS Markets, MAS
Digital, and MAS Fund.
Bridging Sports and Finance
According to the announcement, Halliday earned 23 caps for England between 1986 and
1992, featuring in the 1991 Rugby World Cup Final and back-to-back Five Nations
Grand Slam-winning teams. Off the field, he pursued a career in financial
markets, holding senior roles at Lehman Brothers, Nomura International, and
UBS.
In his new role, Halliday will support the group's
efforts to expand its partnership network across traditional and digital
finance sectors. He joins MAS Group as the company continues to grow its
institutional client base and deepen its presence in liquidity provision,
digital asset trading, and alternative investment management.
Commenting about the appointment, Simon Blackledge, the
CEO of MAS Markets, said: “Simon’s deep understanding of high-performance
teamwork, forged at the very pinnacle of international rugby, makes him an
ideal architect for MAS Group’s partnership ecosystem”.
MAS Markets CEO Simon Blackledge said Halliday’s
background in elite sport and financial leadership makes him “an ideal
architect for MAS Group’s partnership ecosystem.”
Oxford University Graduate
An Oxford University graduate, Halliday reportedly played
first-class cricket and later chaired European Professional Club Rugby. He
continues to serve in charitable roles, having helped raise over £3 million for
health and veterans’ causes.
“Having worked for three decades in Financial Markets,
mainly Investment Banking in the service of Asset Managers and Corporates, I
hope that my experience can be brought to bear in helping the growth of MAS in
the world of Institutional Trading, liquidity solutions and funds management,”
commented Halliday.
“I also hope that my sporting background will assist
in the bringing together and the development of important business
relationships and which embody the values that sport holds dear.”
MAS Markets is an FCA-authorised liquidity provider;
MAS Digital focuses on institutional-grade crypto execution and
custody-agnostic solutions; and MAS Fund offers alternative investment
strategies through a Luxembourg-regulated structure.
MAS Group has appointed former England rugby
international and senior investment banker Simon Halliday as its new Key
Partnerships Adviser. The move comes as the company looks to strengthen
institutional relationships across its three core divisions: MAS Markets, MAS
Digital, and MAS Fund.
Bridging Sports and Finance
According to the announcement, Halliday earned 23 caps for England between 1986 and
1992, featuring in the 1991 Rugby World Cup Final and back-to-back Five Nations
Grand Slam-winning teams. Off the field, he pursued a career in financial
markets, holding senior roles at Lehman Brothers, Nomura International, and
UBS.
In his new role, Halliday will support the group's
efforts to expand its partnership network across traditional and digital
finance sectors. He joins MAS Group as the company continues to grow its
institutional client base and deepen its presence in liquidity provision,
digital asset trading, and alternative investment management.
Commenting about the appointment, Simon Blackledge, the
CEO of MAS Markets, said: “Simon’s deep understanding of high-performance
teamwork, forged at the very pinnacle of international rugby, makes him an
ideal architect for MAS Group’s partnership ecosystem”.
MAS Markets CEO Simon Blackledge said Halliday’s
background in elite sport and financial leadership makes him “an ideal
architect for MAS Group’s partnership ecosystem.”
Oxford University Graduate
An Oxford University graduate, Halliday reportedly played
first-class cricket and later chaired European Professional Club Rugby. He
continues to serve in charitable roles, having helped raise over £3 million for
health and veterans’ causes.
“Having worked for three decades in Financial Markets,
mainly Investment Banking in the service of Asset Managers and Corporates, I
hope that my experience can be brought to bear in helping the growth of MAS in
the world of Institutional Trading, liquidity solutions and funds management,”
commented Halliday.
“I also hope that my sporting background will assist
in the bringing together and the development of important business
relationships and which embody the values that sport holds dear.”
MAS Markets is an FCA-authorised liquidity provider;
MAS Digital focuses on institutional-grade crypto execution and
custody-agnostic solutions; and MAS Fund offers alternative investment
strategies through a Luxembourg-regulated structure.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
Vitalii Bulynin Talks About Versus Trade, New Pairs, and Big Plans
Vitalii Bulynin Talks About Versus Trade, New Pairs, and Big Plans
In this interview, Versus Trade Co-Founder Vitalii Bulynin explains how the company got its license fast, why its trading pairs are fresh and fun, and what the team will build next.
He also discusses the most active pairs, the IB and MIB plans, and hiring needs for new markets.
Watch the whole talk to learn more about how Versus Trade works and where it is heading.
#financemagnates #VersusTrade #TradingPairs #BTCvsGold #goldtrading #innovation
In this interview, Versus Trade Co-Founder Vitalii Bulynin explains how the company got its license fast, why its trading pairs are fresh and fun, and what the team will build next.
He also discusses the most active pairs, the IB and MIB plans, and hiring needs for new markets.
Watch the whole talk to learn more about how Versus Trade works and where it is heading.
#financemagnates #VersusTrade #TradingPairs #BTCvsGold #goldtrading #innovation
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
