The summer months have not resulted in any personnel slowdowns with several big names on the move.
Finance Magnates
Monday, July 25th
Dean Berry, BGC Partners
BGC Partners, Inc. last week appointed Dean Berry as an Executive Managing Director in its Global Electronic and Hybrid Execution team. He most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer for Global e-Commerce at ICAP. In addition, Berry brings to BGC Partners a long track record of leadership, market expertise and innovation, which will complement the firm’s top-tier e-commerce offering, and in particular, its hybrid brokerage model.
Joe Abruzzo, HSBC Private Bank
HSBC Private Bank, a subsidiary of HSBC Group, added Joe Abruzzo as its newest Business Head of North America Tuesday. In his new role as the Business Head of North America at HSBC Private Bank, Mr. Abruzzo has been tasked with steering and executing HSBC’s North American strategy for private banking with an emphasis on the United States. Given HSBC’s focus on domestic operations, Mr. Abruzzo will also act as a member of the HSBC Global Private Bank Executive Committee.
Tuesday, July 26th
Semi Vahap, SpotOption
SpotOption, a binary options technology provider, selected longtime industry veteran Semi Vahap as the new CEO of its UK branch, SpotOption UK Ltd. He previously served as the firm’s Chief Commercial Officer from 2013. Mr. Vahap had been a mainstay at SpotOption since 2013 after a lengthy stint at several financial service providers, particularly in the binary options realm. This included his role as CEO of TraderXP from 2010 to 2011, and the same role at iOption until the company closed down suddenly in 2013. Prior to binary options brokers, Vahap also worked in executive level roles at Spark Networks and Netvision.
Georges Elhedery, HSBC Middle East
Last Wednesday, HSBC Middle East, a subsidiary of HSBC Group, elevated longtime executive Georges Elhedery to the role of Chief Executive for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Mr. Elhedery has been a mainstay at HSBC Middle East since 2005, having previously focused on the MENA region, whilst serving as its Head of Global Banking and Markets – a position he began in 2014. The promotion of Elhedery follows on the heels of Mohammad al-Tuwaijri’s departure, who parted ways with the group to join the Saudi Arabian government as deputy minister of economy and planning.
Hayden Briscoe, UBS
UBS Asset Management made a key new veteran hire last week, bringing in fixed income maven Hayden Briscoe to lead its Asia-Pacific team, following a lengthy stint at AllianceBernstein. In his new role at UBS as the Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income – APAC, Mr. Briscoe will be based out of Hong Kong, reporting to John Dugenske, the lender’s Global Head of Fixed Income at UBS. He steps into the new position with immediate effect, and will focus on one of the group’s marquee asset classes in the region.
Robert Buxton, IS Prime
IS Prime, a provider of aggregated Liquidity , prime of prime (PoP) capabilities and Risk Management, on-boarded Robert Buxton as the newest member of its institutional sales team last week. Mr. Buxton will be based out of London and will work on driving IS Prime’s execution business. He steps into his new role after garnering a lengthy career in the institutional space, having focused the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, as well as e-FX sales – he joins IS Prime from Bloomberg Tradebook.
Nir Shem-Tov, Leverate
Leverate announced the appointment of Nir Shem-Tov as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO) last week. News of the appointment comes less than a week after the company announced the departure of the group’s former COO and Vice President Product, Eitan Bar-On, who parted ways with the company to explore a new direction. Nir Shem-Tov was previously COO of platform solutions provider Websplanet, a role he held for 5 years in which he was responsible for leading the company’s technology and operation including overseeing R&D, product, customisation, implementation, QA and training together with customer and pre-sales support.
Wednesday, July 27th
Shane Remolina, FlexTrade Systems
FlexTrade Systems, a provider of multi-asset execution and order management systems, added Shane Remolina as its newest Director of Sell-Side OMS Technologies for North America. In his new role Mr. Remolina will be based out of the group’s headquarters in New York. In this capacity he will be heading FlexTrade’s sales and business development, with an emphasis on its sell-side OMS solutions – he steps into the new role with immediate effect.
Jake Donavan, LionTree
LionTree’s added one of the industry's foremost dealmakers, Jake Donavan, who is pegged to leave JPMorgan Chase to join LionTree, a telecoms and media-focused boutique advisory firm. He joins LionTree as its newest president of the group's Europe operations, where he will be responsible for growing the firm’s European business, based out of London. Mr Donavan is the second senior hire by LionTree, having secured Louis Kenna from BNP Paribas last year.
Intercontinental Exchange last week made a new senior appointment, with ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA) naming Dame DeAnne Julius, one of the founding members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England (BoE), as its newest Director of IBA. The IBA recently achieved a new mandate, in becoming the new administrator for the LBMA Gold Price (formerly the London Gold Fix).
Monday, July 25th
Dean Berry, BGC Partners
BGC Partners, Inc. last week appointed Dean Berry as an Executive Managing Director in its Global Electronic and Hybrid Execution team. He most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer for Global e-Commerce at ICAP. In addition, Berry brings to BGC Partners a long track record of leadership, market expertise and innovation, which will complement the firm’s top-tier e-commerce offering, and in particular, its hybrid brokerage model.
Joe Abruzzo, HSBC Private Bank
HSBC Private Bank, a subsidiary of HSBC Group, added Joe Abruzzo as its newest Business Head of North America Tuesday. In his new role as the Business Head of North America at HSBC Private Bank, Mr. Abruzzo has been tasked with steering and executing HSBC’s North American strategy for private banking with an emphasis on the United States. Given HSBC’s focus on domestic operations, Mr. Abruzzo will also act as a member of the HSBC Global Private Bank Executive Committee.
Tuesday, July 26th
Semi Vahap, SpotOption
SpotOption, a binary options technology provider, selected longtime industry veteran Semi Vahap as the new CEO of its UK branch, SpotOption UK Ltd. He previously served as the firm’s Chief Commercial Officer from 2013. Mr. Vahap had been a mainstay at SpotOption since 2013 after a lengthy stint at several financial service providers, particularly in the binary options realm. This included his role as CEO of TraderXP from 2010 to 2011, and the same role at iOption until the company closed down suddenly in 2013. Prior to binary options brokers, Vahap also worked in executive level roles at Spark Networks and Netvision.
Georges Elhedery, HSBC Middle East
Last Wednesday, HSBC Middle East, a subsidiary of HSBC Group, elevated longtime executive Georges Elhedery to the role of Chief Executive for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Mr. Elhedery has been a mainstay at HSBC Middle East since 2005, having previously focused on the MENA region, whilst serving as its Head of Global Banking and Markets – a position he began in 2014. The promotion of Elhedery follows on the heels of Mohammad al-Tuwaijri’s departure, who parted ways with the group to join the Saudi Arabian government as deputy minister of economy and planning.
Hayden Briscoe, UBS
UBS Asset Management made a key new veteran hire last week, bringing in fixed income maven Hayden Briscoe to lead its Asia-Pacific team, following a lengthy stint at AllianceBernstein. In his new role at UBS as the Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income – APAC, Mr. Briscoe will be based out of Hong Kong, reporting to John Dugenske, the lender’s Global Head of Fixed Income at UBS. He steps into the new position with immediate effect, and will focus on one of the group’s marquee asset classes in the region.
Robert Buxton, IS Prime
IS Prime, a provider of aggregated Liquidity , prime of prime (PoP) capabilities and Risk Management, on-boarded Robert Buxton as the newest member of its institutional sales team last week. Mr. Buxton will be based out of London and will work on driving IS Prime’s execution business. He steps into his new role after garnering a lengthy career in the institutional space, having focused the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, as well as e-FX sales – he joins IS Prime from Bloomberg Tradebook.
Nir Shem-Tov, Leverate
Leverate announced the appointment of Nir Shem-Tov as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO) last week. News of the appointment comes less than a week after the company announced the departure of the group’s former COO and Vice President Product, Eitan Bar-On, who parted ways with the company to explore a new direction. Nir Shem-Tov was previously COO of platform solutions provider Websplanet, a role he held for 5 years in which he was responsible for leading the company’s technology and operation including overseeing R&D, product, customisation, implementation, QA and training together with customer and pre-sales support.
Wednesday, July 27th
Shane Remolina, FlexTrade Systems
FlexTrade Systems, a provider of multi-asset execution and order management systems, added Shane Remolina as its newest Director of Sell-Side OMS Technologies for North America. In his new role Mr. Remolina will be based out of the group’s headquarters in New York. In this capacity he will be heading FlexTrade’s sales and business development, with an emphasis on its sell-side OMS solutions – he steps into the new role with immediate effect.
Jake Donavan, LionTree
LionTree’s added one of the industry's foremost dealmakers, Jake Donavan, who is pegged to leave JPMorgan Chase to join LionTree, a telecoms and media-focused boutique advisory firm. He joins LionTree as its newest president of the group's Europe operations, where he will be responsible for growing the firm’s European business, based out of London. Mr Donavan is the second senior hire by LionTree, having secured Louis Kenna from BNP Paribas last year.
Intercontinental Exchange last week made a new senior appointment, with ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA) naming Dame DeAnne Julius, one of the founding members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England (BoE), as its newest Director of IBA. The IBA recently achieved a new mandate, in becoming the new administrator for the LBMA Gold Price (formerly the London Gold Fix).
Thomas Kareklas Joins BridgeWise to Lead Expansion Into CFD Broker Segment
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
