Stephan Leithner to become new Deutsche Börse CEO in October
Deutsche Börse announced the appointment Stephan Leithner as the company’s new chief executive officer. He will initially lead Deutsche Börse as a co-CEO together with Theodor Weimer until 2024-end.
Stephan Leithner has been a member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Börse since 2018, responsible for Pre- & Post-Trading. His current areas of responsibility include the Investment Management Solutions segment with ISS STOXX and SimCorp as well as the Group’s post-trading business with Clearstream. A decision on his succession will be made in due course.
From 2016 to 2018, Stephan Leithner served as a partner of EQT, a leading private equity company. Prior to this, he was with Deutsche Bank from 2000 to 2015, initially responsible for building up the capital markets and M&A business, and from 2012 as a member of the Executive Board.
Martin Jetter, chair of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Börse, said in a statement: “Stephan Leithner is a proven and recognized expert in the capital markets to be CEO. He knows the global exchange landscape and understands the needs of our clients. In recent years, Stephan Leithner has played a significant role in the strategic development of the company. We are convinced that Stephan Leithner has all the prerequisites to continue Deutsche Börse’s successful development.”
Pirum hires Bodley as Key Account director
Pirum announced the hire of Andy Bodley as Key Account director. Bodley will focus on growing the global fintech’s existing client accounts and refining the company’s high-touch client service model. He will be based in the London HQ.
Bodley’s extensive experience in account leadership includes managing large and complex pre-trade, trade and post-trade accounts. Most recently, Bodley worked in Group Strategic Relationships at London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), where he oversaw major European-based accounts globally. Previously, Bodley developed key accounts at Refinitiv, Thomson Reuters and Reuters, and he has also worked at Barclays Capital and ABN Amro.
Jacob Koopmans, chief revenue officer, said in a statement: “Having had the privilege of witnessing his impact in the past, I have no doubt that Andy will make a significant and lasting contribution to how Pirum continues to develop our high-touch client service. In addition, Andy’s professionalism, enthusiasm and team-centered approach to delivering exceptional results are a perfect match for our Pirum DNA.”
SDX promotes Kessler to Business head of Digital Securities
Six Digital Exchange (SDX) announced the appointment of Marco Kessler as Business head, Digital Securities to the Executive team. Kessler joined SDX in October 2018 and has been a key member of the team since its beginning. Marco brings 14 years of experience in capital markets and digital transformation to SDX.
Throughout his career, Kessler has specialized in management and technology consulting, with a focus on business architecture for financial services and IT technology strategy. His contributions to SDX have been invaluable, as he continues to play a pivotal role in building the platform from the ground up. His dedication to driving innovation and his deep understanding of financial markets make him an integral part of the SDX team.
Staffing changes at the FIX Trading Community
The FIX Trading Community announced that Maria Netley, Laurence Jones, and Carla Cano Blazquez are leaving the organization. As a result:
- Amy Snape is taking the EMEA Regional Director position.
- Scott Govoni is taking the Americas Regional Director position
- Nadia Hussain is the new events manager
- Elena Arrobbio joins the marketing and operations team as marketing executive.
“I would like to welcome all four to their new roles and look forward to working with them to continue our good work. I would also like to thank Maria, Laurence, and Carla for their contribution to the FIX Trading Community and wish them the best,” said Jim Kaye, executive director of the FIX Trading Community, in a statement.
Standard Chartered announces changes to its Group management team
Standard Chartered announced changes to its Group management structure to create a simpler and more efficient organization. This will ensure the right leadership team is in place to reduce complexity and further sharpen the focus on driving strong, sustainably higher returns through each business line.
• Roberto Hoornweg, currently global head of Financial Markets and Sunil Kaushal, currently Regional CEO for Africa & Middle East are appointed co-heads of Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) (previously Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking (CCIB)). Simon Cooper will leave the Group to pursue other interests.
• To ensure clear accountabilities to better drive global priorities through each of the business lines into the markets where they operate, the regional dimension will be removed from the structure. As a result, in addition to co-leading CIB, Hoornweg will take on responsibility for Europe, Americas, Middle East and Africa markets, based in Dubai; Sunil will take on responsibility for ASEAN and South Asia markets, based in Singapore.
• Judy Hsu, CEO, Consumer, Private and Business Banking (CPBB) will take on responsibility for Greater China and North Asia (GCNA) markets, after her move to Hong Kong from Singapore, in addition to her ongoing responsibility for CPBB.
• Ben Hung, currently CEO, Asia, will assume the new role of President, International, focusing on the Group’s priority to deliver for its clients across markets, balancing the need to drive global business strategies while maintaining appropriate local focus. Until Hsu completes her move to Hong Kong, Hung will continue to oversee GCNA markets.
• Tanuj Kapilashrami, currently Group head of Human Resources (HR), will assume a new role of chief strategy and talent officer. In addition to HR, Tanuj will take on responsibility for Strategy, Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, Supply Chain Management, and Property.
Bill Winters, Group chief executive, said in a statement: “We are taking action to build on our momentum and deliver sustainably higher returns. These changes will ensure we have the strongest possible team in place, with clear accountabilities, to drive our transformation efforts and bring renewed intensity to our focus on increased growth and returns through each of our business lines.”
Dessislava Guetcheva-Cheytanova appointed as General Counsel of the BIS
The Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced the appointment of Dessislava Guetcheva-Cheytanova as the Bank’s new General Counsel and member of the Executive Committee of the BIS.
She will take up her position as General Counsel on 1 September 2024, for a five-year term, upon the retirement of Diego Devos. Guetcheva-Cheytanova brings over 20 years of experience providing legal advice and support, and leading teams in international organizations to the role. She currently serves as the Deputy General Counsel of the Bank, a role to which she was appointed in March 2020.
Before joining the BIS, she served as director and chief counsel in the Corporate division at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and also worked at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Alexandre Kech to become new CEO of Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation
The GLEIF Board of Directors announced the appointment of Alexandre Kech to the position of chief executive officer (CEO), effective June 26, 2024. Alexandre Kech will join GLEIF as CEO-elect on May 1, 2024. Stephan Wolf, who has served as CEO since GLEIF’s inception in 2014, will work closely with Alexandre Kech to enable a smooth transition before stepping down after ten successful years in the role.
Kech brings experience in finance, infrastructure, blockchain, and standardization to GLEIF, gained through a variety of leadership positions held over the past 25 years. In his role as CEO, Alexandre Kech will be pivotal in driving further adoption of the LEI and verifiable LEI (vLEI) – the only universally standardized digital legal entity identifier.
Among his roles prior to joining GLEIF, Alexandre Kech was Executive Board member and Business head of Digital Securities at SDX, a SIX company, where he was instrumental in driving growth and implementing strategic initiatives that enhanced business performance. He has specialized in finance at BNY Mellon, payments/securities infrastructure and standards at SWIFT, blockchain and digital assets at Onchain Custodian (ONC), and, most recently, at Citi Ventures.
Dessa Glasser, chair of the GLEIF Board of Directors, said in a statement “[Kech] brings a wealth of experience, leadership acumen, and an outstanding track record that makes him the ideal candidate to both ensure GLEIF’s continued success and drive its growth in the digital space…Alexandre’s mission is clear: enable GLEIF to realize its full potential and create sustainable value for the whole Global LEI System, including partners, employees, and LEI stakeholders everywhere.”
Wolf said in a statement: “Over the last decade, it has been a great privilege to lead GLEIF through its startup phase and into the thriving organization it is today. My decision to step down comes with a profound sense of fulfillment, pride, and confidence in the exceptional team we’ve built. I look forward to watching GLEIF and the whole LEI ecosystem continue to flourish as it evolves to provide one global identity behind every business.”
Fadzila is a professional banker and brings to his new role an extensive background in the finance industry, encompassing over 25 years of experience in domestic and international banking. He holds various chair- and directorships in banking institutions as well as both public and private companies. He is an independent non-executive chair of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (M) Berhad, and Zurich General Takaful Malaysia Berhad, Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad as well as VS International Group Limited. He also serves as a member of the Investment Panel at Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT).
He was appointed as the president and chief executive officer of Bank Pertanian Malaysia Berhad (Agrobank) in July 2011 until August 2017, wheer he was responsible for leading Agrobank’s operations via its 188 outlets in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.