​Executive Moves of the Week: Lendela, Eurex, and HKEX Announce Leadership Changes

Last week’s executive transitions highlight major leadership shifts across the fintech, exchange, and digital asset industries. Lendela has appointed Kent Huang as CFO and Steven Wong as CTO amid its regional expansion, while Aquis Exchange CEO Alasdair Haynes is stepping down due to health reasons, transitioning to a President role. HIVE Digital Technologies has named Craig Tavares as President and COO of Buzz HPC to accelerate its cloud and high-performance computing strategy. Nuvei has strengthened its leadership with the addition of Moshe Selfin as Chief Product Officer and Chad Gerhardstein as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer. Meanwhile, Eurex Clearing CEO Erik Tim Müller is set to depart after nearly three decades, and HKEX has reshuffled its board with new appointments and reappointments shaping its governance.

Lendela Appoints New CFO and CTO as Part of Executive Reshuffle

Lendela, a Singapore-based loan matching platform, has appointed Kent Huang as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Steven Wong as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) amid its regional expansion.

Huang, with nearly 20 years of experience in financial management, previously held roles at PayPal and Intuit. At Lendela, he will oversee financial operations, regulatory compliance, and risk management, playing a key role as the company grows across the Asia-Pacific region.

Wong, based in Kuala Lumpur, brings over 15 years of experience in fintech startups. He will lead Lendela’s technology infrastructure, ensuring its adaptation to new markets as the company continues to scale.

These executive appointments come as Lendela strengthens its presence in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia, following a $5 million Series A funding round in 2023. The company has grown its workforce by about 30% since the beginning of 2024, underscoring its commitment to expansion.

Aquis Exchange CEO Alasdair Haynes Steps Down, Moves to President Role

Aquis Exchange has announced that CEO Alasdair Haynes is stepping down from his role due to health reasons, transitioning to President of the Group effective immediately. Haynes, who founded Aquis 12 years ago, will continue as a Director and senior advisor while maintaining his responsibilities as Head of the Aquis Stock Exchange division.

Under Haynes' leadership, Aquis evolved from a startup into a prominent European exchange group. Reflecting on his tenure, he expressed pride in the company’s growth and reaffirmed his commitment to its strategic direction in his new role.

Board Chair Deirdre Somers praised Haynes’ contributions, describing him as instrumental to Aquis' success and highlighting his ongoing value to the Group. The Board expressed confidence in the company’s future under the new leadership structure.  

HIVE Digital Technologies Names Craig Tavares as Buzz HPC President and COO

HIVE Digital Technologies has appointed Craig Tavares as President and Chief Operating Officer of Buzz HPC, its high-performance computing (HPC) and GPU Cloud division. The move strengthens the company’s leadership as it expands its presence in cloud and data center services.

Tavares brings over 20 years of experience in digital infrastructure, cloud services, and telecom, having held leadership roles at companies such as Aptum and Apple. His expertise includes launching cloud services, forming strategic partnerships with Microsoft and AWS, and developing HPC data centers. His background in integrating HPC with renewable energy solutions aligns with Buzz HPC’s sustainability-driven approach.

Expressing enthusiasm for his new role, Tavares stated that he looks forward to scaling Buzz HPC’s infrastructure and AI GPU platforms. Alongside his appointment, HIVE Digital Technologies introduced a long-term incentive plan, granting 1,090,000 restricted share units (RSUs) to key employees, including Tavares, to support the company’s growth objectives.

With this leadership transition, HIVE aims to accelerate its cloud and HPC expansion, reinforcing its position in AI, blockchain, and digital asset infrastructure.

Nuvei Strengthens Leadership with Key Executive Appointments

Nuvei Corporation has appointed Moshe Selfin as Chief Product Officer and Chad Gerhardstein as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, reinforcing its leadership team amid strategic expansion.

Selfin, formerly Chief Operations & Technology Officer at Finaro, will oversee Nuvei’s global product strategy, focusing on enhancing its payment solutions and technology infrastructure. His expertise in product development aligns with the company’s goal of optimizing its platform for international merchants.

Gerhardstein, who joins from PwC, brings extensive experience in cyber risk and regulatory frameworks. Having held senior roles at Vantiv and served as Chief Compliance Officer at Worldpay, he will lead Nuvei’s global risk management and compliance efforts, ensuring regulatory adherence across multiple jurisdictions.

Both executives will report to Nuvei’s senior leadership, with Selfin reporting to Chair and CEO Philip Fayer and Gerhardstein to CFO David Schwartz. Their appointments come as Nuvei continues expanding its global footprint, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and regulatory excellence in the payments industry.

Carla Nemr Joins CFI as Global Director of Business Development

CFI Financial Group has appointed Carla Nemr as its new Global Director of Business Development, bringing over 25 years of experience in financial services. Nemr’s role will focus on strategic partnerships, client acquisition, and expanding CFI’s global market presence as the company strengthens its position in online trading.

Before joining CFI, Nemr spent nearly eight years at Tickmill as Chief Business Development Officer. Her extensive career also includes leadership roles at Amana Capital, Falcon Brokers, FXTM, and Alpari. Her expertise in business development and market expansion is expected to play a key role in driving CFI’s growth initiatives.

Announcing her new position on LinkedIn, Nemr expressed enthusiasm about joining a leading brokerage and contributing to its continued success. As CFI continues to expand its international footprint, her leadership is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the firm's future direction.

Eurex Clearing CEO Erik Tim Müller to Depart After Nearly 30 Years

Erik Tim Müller, CEO of Eurex Clearing AG, will step down next month and leave Deutsche Börse Group by year-end after nearly three decades with the company. His departure marks a significant leadership change at one of Europe’s leading derivatives markets.

Müller joined Deutsche Börse in 1997, playing a key role in its post-IPO expansion, overseeing Group Treasury and Investor Relations. He later held leadership positions at Eurex Clearing AG and the Eurex Deutschland Management Board, shaping the firm’s corporate strategy and regulatory engagements.

Thomas Book, Deutsche Börse’s Executive Board Member for Trading & Clearing, praised Müller’s contributions, emphasizing his role in strengthening Eurex’s global position. Müller expressed gratitude for his tenure, highlighting the support of colleagues, clients, and regulators.

While his successor has not been announced, Müller has committed to ensuring a smooth transition. The new leadership will inherit a well-established market position but must navigate evolving regulatory landscapes and competitive pressures as Deutsche Börse adapts to industry shifts.

HKEX Board Reshuffle: Ding Chen Joins, Nisa Leung Departs​

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) has announced key board changes, with Ding Chen appointed as a new director, while Nisa Leung will step down after the 2025 AGM. Additionally, Carlson Tong and Joseph Yam have been reappointed, with their terms extending until the 2027 AGM.

Ding Chen, a veteran in asset and wealth management, has been instrumental in cross-border financial initiatives, including the RQFII scheme and Wealth Management Connect. She founded the Chinese Asset Management Association of Hong Kong (HKCAMA) and was honored as a Justice of the Peace in 2024. HKEX Chairman Carlson Tong welcomed her appointment, citing her deep market expertise.

Meanwhile, Nisa Leung will retire after four years on the board. HKEX expressed gratitude for her contributions, emphasizing her role in supporting the exchange’s strategic initiatives.

These leadership changes come as HKEX strengthens its position as a global financial hub. With a focus on market connectivity and innovation, the new board composition aims to enhance governance and drive long-term growth in Hong Kong’s evolving financial landscape.