Madalina Rotaru

CEO MENA, CAPEX

How many years has Capex been in the business and if possible, to share few information about its operations and vision

We have been present in the global markets starting with 2016, and since then, we have built up our name step by step. CAPEX.com currently operates four licenses worldwide, granted by today’s most prestigious regulatory bodies. Our customer-centered approach and the constant expansion of our services and products have led to the rapid growth we’ve shown in such a short period. Moreover, the vision we have helps fuel our business. From day one, we have envisioned CAPEX.com as a brokerage powerhouse that facilitates access to every aspect of everyone’s financial needs under one roof. And we support our vision by constantly evaluating our services. We want to ensure our products are as user-friendly as possible while dedicating our efforts to their technological advancement and innovation.

What is the biggest challenge the sector is facing today, in your opinion?

I think that one of the biggest challenges in the fintech sector is maintaining the balance between innovation and regulation. Fintech companies often develop new products and services that disrupt traditional financial models and have the potential to transform the financial industry. However, they must also comply with complex regulatory requirements to ensure consumer protection, prevent fraud, and maintain financial stability.

Finally, customer adoption is another challenge for fintech companies. Financial services are traditionally conservative, and consumers may hesitate to trust new industry players. Fintech companies must build strong relationships with their customers and gain their trust by providing high-quality services and exceptional customer experiences.

What’s in your opinion the future of the financial services industry, how it will evolve?

The financial services industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. Digitalization is a major trend, with institutions investing in mobile banking, digital wallets, and blockchain. The rise of fintech firms is also disrupting traditional financial institutions, leading to greater innovation and personalization of products and services. Additionally, sustainability and ethical considerations are increasingly important to consumers.

This makes financial institutions offer more sustainable investment options and demonstrate their commitment to responsible practices. Overall, the industry will likely continue evolving rapidly, with increased automation, greater use of blockchain, and the growth of digital payment methods among the key trends.

To summarize, the future of the financial services industry is characterized by digital transformation, personalization of products and services, increased regulation, fintech disruption, sustainability, and ethical considerations. The industry is expected to evolve rapidly, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer demands. Financial institutions must adapt to these changes to remain competitive, including investing in digital solutions, integrating fintech services, and demonstrating a commitment to sustainable and ethical practices.

Which powerful woman do you admire the most?

There are many women to admire for their achievements, but I admire Adena Friedman the most. She made a significant impact in the field of finance and technology. As the CEO of Nasdaq, she is one of the few women who lead a major global stock exchange.

Under her leadership, Nasdaq has become a leading player in technology and finance. She pushed the limits by developing several innovative initiatives, including creating a marketplace for private securities and implementing blockchain technology in the stock exchange. Her contributions to Nasdaq and the finance industry as a whole have had a significant impact, and her commitment to empowering women and promoting diversity will continue to shape the future of finance and technology. For me, she is an inspiration.

The action or decision you’re most proud of?

Tackling the fin-tech business is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s a challenging industry that encourages self-improvement and allows for loads of personal knowledge to be gained. It helped me evolve, develop new skills, and incentivized me to build a career in this field. And I’m glad I did.

What’s your view on motherhood and career?

I can tell you that there is often a societal expectation for women to choose between motherhood and a career. This expectation can create barriers for women in the workforce, particularly in male-dominated industries like fintech. It is important to recognize that motherhood and a career are not mutually exclusive and that women can and should have the opportunity to pursue both if they so choose. Ultimately, it is up to society as a whole to recognize and address the systemic issues that can make it difficult for women to balance motherhood and a career.

What advice would you give to young women who wish to enter the fintech world?

There are several pieces of advice to consider. First, build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in finance and technology. Pursue a degree in a related field and seek practical experience through internships or other opportunities. Additionally, stay updated with industry trends by closely monitoring the industry news daily.

To succeed in this fast-evolving industry, working diligently and constantly improving and developing your skills is essential. It’s also advisable to follow as many field experts as possible who will provide valuable information to help you in your career.

Who is Who | Financial markets executive with extensive expertise in fintech and business development for capital markets.

At the helm of the fintech revolution - pushing Key Way Group forth through innovation, global recognition, and a strong focus on customer experience and customer education. Madalina Rotaru is the CEO MENA at Capex.com

Carla Nemr

Chief Business Development Officer, Tickmill

By enhancing our clients’ overall experience, increasing our operational efficiency, and developing our proprietary technology,

How many years has Tickmill been in business and if you can share some information about your background and Tickmill’s operations and vision

The Tickmill Group was established in 2014, and through the years, it has evolved into a global award-winning multi-regulated broker offering trading in a wide variety of CFD asset classes and exchange-traded derivatives (Futures and Options). The company has offices in London, Cyprus, and South Africa and employs over 250 individuals worldwide. Our goal is to empower traders to reach their full potential by providing the best possible environment and excellent trading conditions. Our vision is to continue growing, enter new markets, and expand our product offering, services, and tools while maintaining premium quality services and competitive trading conditions.

I joined Tickmill in 2017 and have been working on expanding the company’s outreach and partnership network globally. My focus is to grow Tickmill’s client base and find ways to develop the company to serve it better. I have been working in the retail brokerage industry for over a decade, occupying key positions in Sales and Business Development with reputable firms.

What’s the biggest challenge the financial sector is facing today in your opinion?

There are several challenges that the financial sector is facing today, such as regulatory compliance and cybersecurity, a constantly changing macroeconomic landscape, and the need to keep up with technological advances and stay ahead of the competition. It is essential for companies to uphold regulatory requirements to safeguard clients. At the same time, investing in cybersecurity measures is a must to prevent cyberattacks and ensure clients’ funds and data are protected. It is equally important for companies to be able to withstand the challenges of the uncertain macroeconomic landscape, be it inflation, market volatility or the current banking sector turmoil. I would also add to the list the significance of investing in innovation and technology to maintain a competitive edge.

What is in your opinion the future of the financial sector, how is Tickmill getting ready for it?

In my opinion, fintech is revolutionising the financial sector through digitalisation, automation, and AI. This is best reflected in the changing behaviour of traders; for example, a growing number of people trade or manage their accounts through apps on their mobile phones. Consequently, new regulatory frameworks are being introduced to foster a safe environment for all, and this also ties in well with what we discussed above about cybersecurity and client protection. At Tickmill, we are committed to investing in the latest technologies and developing new business models to stay current and satisfy our clients’ changing needs and expectations. By enhancing our clients’ overall experience, increasing our operational efficiency, and developing our proprietary technology, we will remain an industry-leading broker.

Which powerful woman do you admire the most?

There are many female pioneers, from literature to science and the financial sector who have broken barriers, paved the way, and served as role models for the rest of the world so it is hard to pick just one. Having said that, Angela Merkel is one powerful woman I am especially fond of. She was one of the most influential and dynamic leaders in modern politics and rose above many challenges during her career with resil- ience, intelligence, and leadership. She is an inspiration to people around the world and a shining example of what women can accomplish.

The action or decision you’re most proud of?

One of the defining moments of my life is the decision to lead a global team here at Tickmill and help it grow worldwide. It has been a challenging but rewarding experience as it allowed me to develop my skills, gain valuable experience and make a positive impact on the company. Taking on this position has helped me improve my communication skills and work effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. This experience has made me more culturally aware, which is vital when working with colleagues and clients from other parts of the world. I am very proud of the work we have accomplished as a team, and I look forward to new and exciting projects in the future.

What’s your view on motherhood and career?

Motherhood has been greatly beneficial to my career as it helped me gain valuable skills and experiences which have proven extremely useful in my professional life. As a mother, I improved my time management, leadership, multitasking, problem-solving, communication, and empathy skills, since a family is a microcosm of society or a company if you like. These skills have helped me increase my productivity, effectiveness, resilience and problem-solving and enabled me to communicate better and collaborate efficiently with my colleagues. It is essential that organisations recognize and support these skills and allow women to integrate work and family life. I appreciate that I am part of a company that values employees and helps them maintain a healthy work-family balance.

What advice would you give to young women who wish to enter the fintech world?

To all the women who aspire to pursue a career in the fintech world, I would suggest, first and foremost, staying up to date with the latest trends and developments, as this is a rapidly evolving industry. An excellent way to do that is to attend industry events, follow thought leaders on social media and connect with people in the industry to build your network and learn from others. Seek mentors, as they can help you navigate the industry and develop your career. Most importantly, though, be passionate, be curious, be confident.

Who is Who | Carla Nemr is the Chief Business Development Officer at Tickmill Carla’s business acumen and market awareness have largely contributed to the Group’s expansion. She was voted one of the ”Influential Arab Women” during the Arab Women Summit in Dubai.