Saxo UK's Chairman Richard Balarkas exited the firm, as Bitget appointed a New Chief Sales Officer.
Other companies that announced executive moves are Capex.com, NAGA Group, and the MAS Group.
This week in our executive moves summary, Pepperstone appointed a New Head of Client Experience; former N26 Marketing Director Kertu-Liina Lehismäe joined Mintos; Trading Tech Firm 4OTC onboarded Kyle Jannece as the Head of Business Development; and Saxo UK Chairman Richard Balarkas exited the firm.
Additionally, Bitget enlisted Intae Song as Chief Sales Officer; Madalina Rotaru left Merged Capex.com and NAGA, while MAS Group hired Olivia Zhang as Head of Sales.
Pepperstone Appoints New Head of Client Experience
Among this week's key executive changes, Pepperstone appointed Kim Reilly as its new Head of Client Experience. Reilly, a seasoned executive in the FX and CFD trading industry, joins from FP Markets, where she played key roles in client relations and partnerships.
Kim Reilly, Source: LinkedIn
According to Reilly’s LinkedIn profile, her career in financial services spans major brokerage firms, including FP Markets, IC Markets, and FxPro. At FP Markets, she held several leadership roles in both Cyprus and London, overseeing partnerships, customer journeys, and quality assurance.
Meanwhile, FinTech connectivity provider 4OTC appointed Kyle Jannece as Head of Business Development. In this role, Jannece will lead the company's efforts to work with banks in both cryptocurrency and foreign exchange markets.
Kyle Jannece
Jannece, who previously managed Global Sales and Business Development for CME Group's eFix Matching Service, will reportedly focus on capturing requirements from banks entering the Digital Asset space while expanding 4OTC's existing FX product suite.
In the UK, Saxo Bank UK’s long-serving Chairman, Richard Balarkas, is stepping down. His resignation, as announced by the UK Companies House, comes just one day after Swiss banking giant J. Safra Sarasin Group finalized its acquisition of a 70% stake in Saxo Bank.
Richard Balarkas, Source: LinkedIn
Balarkas’ departure from Saxo UK signals the first of what could be several leadership changes following the acquisition. The industry veteran has been with Saxo Capital Markets UK Limited since 2015, bringing experience from previous roles at Credit Suisse and Instinet Europe.
In the cryptocurrency space, Bitget hired Intae Song as its Chief Sales Officer (CSO). Song, who has been with the firm since 2020, most recently served as a Business Partner at the exchange.
Intae Song
Song entered the cryptocurrency sector in 2017 as a personal investor before joining Bitget in 2020 in a sales role. He was appointed Head of Sales in 2021 and became a Business Partner in 2023. Now, after nearly two years, he is returning to the position of CSO.
Meanwhile, Madalina Rotaru, a long-term employee of Capex/NAGA Group, parted ways with the company. She was the Group Chief Operating Officer of the merged entity and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the NAGA Group.
Madalina Rotaru, Source: LinkedIn
Rotaru joined CAPEX.com in January 2017 as a Branch Director and was promoted to the Group COO role in about a year, according to her LinkedIn profile. She also took charge of CAPEX.com’s MENA operations, becoming the CEO of the UAE unit at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lastly, MAS Group appointed Olivia Zhang as the new Head of Sales. With experience spanning retail and institutional markets, Zhang will lead the company’s sales efforts from Sydney, according to an announcement shared with Finance Magnates this week.
This week in our executive moves summary, Pepperstone appointed a New Head of Client Experience; former N26 Marketing Director Kertu-Liina Lehismäe joined Mintos; Trading Tech Firm 4OTC onboarded Kyle Jannece as the Head of Business Development; and Saxo UK Chairman Richard Balarkas exited the firm.
Additionally, Bitget enlisted Intae Song as Chief Sales Officer; Madalina Rotaru left Merged Capex.com and NAGA, while MAS Group hired Olivia Zhang as Head of Sales.
Pepperstone Appoints New Head of Client Experience
Among this week's key executive changes, Pepperstone appointed Kim Reilly as its new Head of Client Experience. Reilly, a seasoned executive in the FX and CFD trading industry, joins from FP Markets, where she played key roles in client relations and partnerships.
Kim Reilly, Source: LinkedIn
According to Reilly’s LinkedIn profile, her career in financial services spans major brokerage firms, including FP Markets, IC Markets, and FxPro. At FP Markets, she held several leadership roles in both Cyprus and London, overseeing partnerships, customer journeys, and quality assurance.
Meanwhile, FinTech connectivity provider 4OTC appointed Kyle Jannece as Head of Business Development. In this role, Jannece will lead the company's efforts to work with banks in both cryptocurrency and foreign exchange markets.
Kyle Jannece
Jannece, who previously managed Global Sales and Business Development for CME Group's eFix Matching Service, will reportedly focus on capturing requirements from banks entering the Digital Asset space while expanding 4OTC's existing FX product suite.
In the UK, Saxo Bank UK’s long-serving Chairman, Richard Balarkas, is stepping down. His resignation, as announced by the UK Companies House, comes just one day after Swiss banking giant J. Safra Sarasin Group finalized its acquisition of a 70% stake in Saxo Bank.
Richard Balarkas, Source: LinkedIn
Balarkas’ departure from Saxo UK signals the first of what could be several leadership changes following the acquisition. The industry veteran has been with Saxo Capital Markets UK Limited since 2015, bringing experience from previous roles at Credit Suisse and Instinet Europe.
In the cryptocurrency space, Bitget hired Intae Song as its Chief Sales Officer (CSO). Song, who has been with the firm since 2020, most recently served as a Business Partner at the exchange.
Intae Song
Song entered the cryptocurrency sector in 2017 as a personal investor before joining Bitget in 2020 in a sales role. He was appointed Head of Sales in 2021 and became a Business Partner in 2023. Now, after nearly two years, he is returning to the position of CSO.
Meanwhile, Madalina Rotaru, a long-term employee of Capex/NAGA Group, parted ways with the company. She was the Group Chief Operating Officer of the merged entity and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the NAGA Group.
Madalina Rotaru, Source: LinkedIn
Rotaru joined CAPEX.com in January 2017 as a Branch Director and was promoted to the Group COO role in about a year, according to her LinkedIn profile. She also took charge of CAPEX.com’s MENA operations, becoming the CEO of the UAE unit at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lastly, MAS Group appointed Olivia Zhang as the new Head of Sales. With experience spanning retail and institutional markets, Zhang will lead the company’s sales efforts from Sydney, according to an announcement shared with Finance Magnates this week.
Jared Kirui is an Editor at Finance Magnates with more than five years of experience in financial journalism. He covers online trading, fintech, payments, and crypto industries with a focus on companies, regulation and compliance, executive moves, trading technology, and market analysis.
His work has been featured in other media outlets, including Benzinga, ZyCrypto, The Distributed, and The Daily Hodl.
Education:
Bachelor of Commerce degree (Finance option), University of Nairobi
John Murphy Becomes Retail-Focused Scope Markets’ Managing Director
Featured Videos
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Regional Focus: Thailand, Vietnam
Regional Focus: Thailand, Vietnam
Regional Focus: Thailand, Vietnam
Regional Focus: Thailand, Vietnam
Regional Focus: Thailand, Vietnam
Regional Focus: Thailand, Vietnam
Bangkok is consolidating as Southeast Asia's broker hub for CLMV access, while Vietnam's trading volumes have made it harder to ignore from any regional headquarters. Most brokers know both exist. Fewer have tested what operating there actually requires.
This session gathers practitioners with on-the-ground experience in both markets to examine what it takes to build and run operations in Thailand and Vietnam.
Attendees will walk away with:
A clear view of setup requirements in both markets: entity structures, timelines, and what first-time operators tend to get wrong
Understanding of the offshore broker model and how compliant operators work within domestic restrictions in each jurisdiction
Insight into talent acquisition, client onboarding, and distribution in markets where language, culture, and acquisition channels don't follow standard APAC assumptions
Perspective on adjacent Southeast Asian markets worth monitoring for the next regional move
Bangkok is consolidating as Southeast Asia's broker hub for CLMV access, while Vietnam's trading volumes have made it harder to ignore from any regional headquarters. Most brokers know both exist. Fewer have tested what operating there actually requires.
This session gathers practitioners with on-the-ground experience in both markets to examine what it takes to build and run operations in Thailand and Vietnam.
Attendees will walk away with:
A clear view of setup requirements in both markets: entity structures, timelines, and what first-time operators tend to get wrong
Understanding of the offshore broker model and how compliant operators work within domestic restrictions in each jurisdiction
Insight into talent acquisition, client onboarding, and distribution in markets where language, culture, and acquisition channels don't follow standard APAC assumptions
Perspective on adjacent Southeast Asian markets worth monitoring for the next regional move
Bangkok is consolidating as Southeast Asia's broker hub for CLMV access, while Vietnam's trading volumes have made it harder to ignore from any regional headquarters. Most brokers know both exist. Fewer have tested what operating there actually requires.
This session gathers practitioners with on-the-ground experience in both markets to examine what it takes to build and run operations in Thailand and Vietnam.
Attendees will walk away with:
A clear view of setup requirements in both markets: entity structures, timelines, and what first-time operators tend to get wrong
Understanding of the offshore broker model and how compliant operators work within domestic restrictions in each jurisdiction
Insight into talent acquisition, client onboarding, and distribution in markets where language, culture, and acquisition channels don't follow standard APAC assumptions
Perspective on adjacent Southeast Asian markets worth monitoring for the next regional move
Bangkok is consolidating as Southeast Asia's broker hub for CLMV access, while Vietnam's trading volumes have made it harder to ignore from any regional headquarters. Most brokers know both exist. Fewer have tested what operating there actually requires.
This session gathers practitioners with on-the-ground experience in both markets to examine what it takes to build and run operations in Thailand and Vietnam.
Attendees will walk away with:
A clear view of setup requirements in both markets: entity structures, timelines, and what first-time operators tend to get wrong
Understanding of the offshore broker model and how compliant operators work within domestic restrictions in each jurisdiction
Insight into talent acquisition, client onboarding, and distribution in markets where language, culture, and acquisition channels don't follow standard APAC assumptions
Perspective on adjacent Southeast Asian markets worth monitoring for the next regional move
Bangkok is consolidating as Southeast Asia's broker hub for CLMV access, while Vietnam's trading volumes have made it harder to ignore from any regional headquarters. Most brokers know both exist. Fewer have tested what operating there actually requires.
This session gathers practitioners with on-the-ground experience in both markets to examine what it takes to build and run operations in Thailand and Vietnam.
Attendees will walk away with:
A clear view of setup requirements in both markets: entity structures, timelines, and what first-time operators tend to get wrong
Understanding of the offshore broker model and how compliant operators work within domestic restrictions in each jurisdiction
Insight into talent acquisition, client onboarding, and distribution in markets where language, culture, and acquisition channels don't follow standard APAC assumptions
Perspective on adjacent Southeast Asian markets worth monitoring for the next regional move
Bangkok is consolidating as Southeast Asia's broker hub for CLMV access, while Vietnam's trading volumes have made it harder to ignore from any regional headquarters. Most brokers know both exist. Fewer have tested what operating there actually requires.
This session gathers practitioners with on-the-ground experience in both markets to examine what it takes to build and run operations in Thailand and Vietnam.
Attendees will walk away with:
A clear view of setup requirements in both markets: entity structures, timelines, and what first-time operators tend to get wrong
Understanding of the offshore broker model and how compliant operators work within domestic restrictions in each jurisdiction
Insight into talent acquisition, client onboarding, and distribution in markets where language, culture, and acquisition channels don't follow standard APAC assumptions
Perspective on adjacent Southeast Asian markets worth monitoring for the next regional move
Join The Club: What Premium Clients Want
Join The Club: What Premium Clients Want
Join The Club: What Premium Clients Want
Join The Club: What Premium Clients Want
Join The Club: What Premium Clients Want
Join The Club: What Premium Clients Want
High-net-worth traders account for an outsized portion of revenues for various retail brokers.
This session will gather heads of premium, acquisition, and product experts to reveal how they build their client base in Asia.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of how brokers view premium clients (beyond deposit size).
Insight into which services, products, and benefits increase trust and LTV.
Examples of offerings that scale without inflating cost or operational burden.
Lessons from leading brokers on growing premium segments and what’s next.
High-net-worth traders account for an outsized portion of revenues for various retail brokers.
This session will gather heads of premium, acquisition, and product experts to reveal how they build their client base in Asia.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of how brokers view premium clients (beyond deposit size).
Insight into which services, products, and benefits increase trust and LTV.
Examples of offerings that scale without inflating cost or operational burden.
Lessons from leading brokers on growing premium segments and what’s next.
High-net-worth traders account for an outsized portion of revenues for various retail brokers.
This session will gather heads of premium, acquisition, and product experts to reveal how they build their client base in Asia.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of how brokers view premium clients (beyond deposit size).
Insight into which services, products, and benefits increase trust and LTV.
Examples of offerings that scale without inflating cost or operational burden.
Lessons from leading brokers on growing premium segments and what’s next.
High-net-worth traders account for an outsized portion of revenues for various retail brokers.
This session will gather heads of premium, acquisition, and product experts to reveal how they build their client base in Asia.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of how brokers view premium clients (beyond deposit size).
Insight into which services, products, and benefits increase trust and LTV.
Examples of offerings that scale without inflating cost or operational burden.
Lessons from leading brokers on growing premium segments and what’s next.
High-net-worth traders account for an outsized portion of revenues for various retail brokers.
This session will gather heads of premium, acquisition, and product experts to reveal how they build their client base in Asia.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of how brokers view premium clients (beyond deposit size).
Insight into which services, products, and benefits increase trust and LTV.
Examples of offerings that scale without inflating cost or operational burden.
Lessons from leading brokers on growing premium segments and what’s next.
High-net-worth traders account for an outsized portion of revenues for various retail brokers.
This session will gather heads of premium, acquisition, and product experts to reveal how they build their client base in Asia.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of how brokers view premium clients (beyond deposit size).
Insight into which services, products, and benefits increase trust and LTV.
Examples of offerings that scale without inflating cost or operational burden.
Lessons from leading brokers on growing premium segments and what’s next.
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment