R3, iSAM Securities, Bidx and More: Executive Moves of the Week

This week has seen less activity in executive appointments across the forex, crypto, and fintech sectors. This trend highlights the dynamic nature of financial technology, which is constantly evolving.

Recent executive moves in the financial industry highlight significant appointments and transitions shaping the sector. These are as follows: R3 welcomes Bob Wigley, former Chairman of Merrill Lynch EMEA, to its Board of Directors; iSAM Securities appoints Aaron Brown as Sales Director to strengthen its MENA presence; while TerraPay appoints Ruben Salazar Genovez as President; Liam Bonfield joins BidX Markets as Chief Finance Officer; and Valutrades bids farewell to Bonfield, departing from CFO after eight years of service.

These executive moves represent deliberate strategic changes and innovative initiatives fueling expansion and evolution within different sectors of the financial sector.

Dive into the vibrant world of executive shifts spanning forex, cryptocurrency, and fintech with our weekly roundup. Delve into the continuously changing scenery of leadership transitions within the financial technology sector.

Executive Moves of the Week

R3 Appoints Ex-Merrill Lynch Chairman to Accelerate Blockchain Adoption

R3, the enterprise blockchain company, welcomes Bob Wigley, the former Chairman of Merrill Lynch EMEA, to its Board of Directors. With his extensive experience, including leadership roles at UK Finance and past board positions at organizations like the Bank of England, Wigley brings invaluable expertise to drive R3's digital finance strategy. His appointment coincides with R3's launch of the R3 Digital Markets product suite, designed to facilitate the adoption of digital assets and currencies by financial institutions. Wigley's insight and industry connections are poised to bolster R3's efforts in digitizing global markets.

In addition to Wigley's appointment, R3 recently onboarded Kate Karimson as the Chief Commercial Officer, further strengthening its leadership team. The company's focus on innovation is evident with the launch of the R3 Digital Markets suite, leveraging the Corda platform to support the integration of digital assets into capital markets operations. With a commitment to fostering a connected financial world, R3 continues to drive advancements in distributed ledger technology, with recent collaborations aimed at propelling the growth of fintech sectors globally.

Display more about R3's strategic appointments and innovative solutions driving blockchain adoption in the financial industry.

iSAM Securities Bolsters MENA Team by Hiring Aaron Brown from IXO Prime

iSAM Securities has appointed Aaron Brown as Sales Director to bolster its presence in the Middle East and North African region (MENA). With over two decades of experience, Brown brings a wealth of knowledge from his previous roles, including Head of Institutional Sales MENA at IXO Prime. His extensive background in institutional sales and understanding of client requirements in the region position him well to support iSAM Securities' growth plans. Brown's appointment reflects the firm's commitment to delivering innovative products and services to clients globally.

Strengthening its leadership further, iSAM Securities recently promoted Samuel Johnson to Managing Director and Ryan Poole to Chief Investment Officer. Brown's addition to the team aligns with the company's ambitious growth strategy and underscores its dedication to providing exceptional service. With Brown's expertise and the recent executive promotions, iSAM Securities aims to capitalize on client demand in the MENA region while maintaining its high standards of quality and innovation.

Reveal more about iSAM Securities' strategic appointments and expansion plans in the MENA region.

TerraPay Taps Visa Direct's Former Head Ruben Salazar Genovez as President

TerraPay has appointed Ruben Salazar Genovez, the Former Global Head of Visa Direct, as its President. Genovez, with extensive experience in the payments industry at Visa, Citibank, Barclays, and Mastercard, brings valuable expertise to TerraPay. His appointment signals TerraPay's focus on expanding its presence in cross-border money movement and non-traditional payments.

Genovez's leadership is expected to drive global growth and strengthen TerraPay's position in the industry. TerraPay's collaboration with Papara and its recent acquisition of a Major Payment Institution license in Singapore underscore its commitment to facilitating seamless cross-border transactions.

TerraPay, headquartered in London, offers a single connection to a vast cross-border payments network, enabling global money movement. Partnering with Papara, a Turkish fintech company, TerraPay aims to meet the growing demand for cross-border money transfers in Turkey's rapidly expanding digital payments sector. With its recent licensing in Singapore, TerraPay enhances its global payment solutions, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of international money movement.

Investigate more about TerraPay recruiting Ruben Salazar Genovez as President and its strategic partnerships and regulatory milestones in advancing global cross-border payments.

BidX Markets Taps Liam Bonfield as Chief Finance Officer

BidX Markets, a multi-asset liquidity and B2B trading technology provider, has appointed Liam Bonfield as its latest Chief Finance Officer. Bonfield, renowned for his financial expertise and strategic acumen, will lead BidX Markets in its financial endeavors, focusing on sustained growth and achievement. As the new CFO, Bonfield will oversee the entirety of BidX Markets' financial operations, including financial planning, reporting, and analysis.

Simon Blackledge, the Founder and CEO of BidX Markets, expressed his enthusiasm for Bonfield's addition to the executive team, citing his extensive expertise and strategic vision as instrumental in supporting BidX Markets' growth trajectory and enhancing its innovative trading solutions for brokers, family offices, or hedge funds. Amidst Bonfield's transition to BidX Markets, Valutrades, a retail brokerage based in London, confirmed his departure as Chief Financial Officer after eight years of service.

Find out more about BidX Markets' appointment of Liam Bonfield and its strategic financial initiatives.

Valutrades’ CFO Liam Bonfield Departs after 8 Years

Valutrades, a London-headquartered retail brokerage, bids farewell to its Chief Financial Officer, Liam Bonfield, who steps down after eight years of service. Bonfield's future plans remain undisclosed. In his departing statement, he expressed confidence in the company's trajectory, citing recent investments in technology. Bonfield's tenure began in April 2016, following roles at GMO-Z.com and London Capital Group. Valutrades' CEO, Graeme Watkins, acknowledged Bonfield's contributions, emphasizing his pivotal role in the company's journey.

The departure coincides with ongoing rebranding efforts at Valutrades, fueled by fresh investments last October. Operating under licenses from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and the Seychelles' regulator, Valutrades sustains trading services across various asset classes. While 2022 witnessed a substantial revenue increase for the UK entity, rising expenses impacted pre-tax profits. Bonfield's departure marks a transition period for Valutrades as it navigates both organizational changes and market dynamics.

Identify more about Valutrades' strategic shifts and financial performance amidst leadership changes.