Executive Moves of the Week: Leadership Overhauls at Goldman Sachs, Ant International, and EC Markets

Last week’s executive transitions highlight major leadership shifts across investment banking, fintech, and brokerage industries. Goldman Sachs has reinforced its leadership structure by appointing President and COO John Waldron to its board, signaling a potential succession plan. In fintech, Ant International has named Worachat Luxkanalode as the new CEO of 2C2P, as the payments platform sharpens its focus on SMEs across Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the brokerage sector has seen key moves, with EC Markets appointing Sherwan Zeybo as Global Head of Business Development and NAGA MENA promoting Paul Turner to Senior Executive Officer as part of its leadership expansion.

Goldman Sachs Expands Board with Key Executive Appointments

Goldman Sachs has appointed President and COO John Waldron to its board of directors, solidifying his position as a potential successor to CEO David Solomon. The move follows a recent retention bonus aimed at maintaining leadership stability. Waldron now stands as one of only two management committee members on the board alongside Solomon, signaling a structured succession plan.

Waldron, who has overseen Goldman’s three main divisions since 2018, previously led its investment banking unit after joining the firm in 2000. His appointment mirrors a past precedent, as former President Gary Cohn held a board seat before his departure in 2016.

Additionally, Goldman has named former Accenture CFO KC McClure as an independent director. McClure will assume roles on the audit, governance, and risk committees starting April 1. These executive changes come as Goldman Sachs posts its strongest quarterly profit in over three years, driven by a surge in investment banking fees and trading activity.

2C2P Appoints New CEO Amid Leadership Transition

Ant International is reshaping leadership at its digital payment platform 2C2P, appointing Worachat Luxkanalode as CEO. Currently Managing Director of Grab Thailand, Worachat will take over in April 2025, pending regulatory approval, as 2C2P shifts its focus toward SMEs across Southeast Asia.

This transition follows the departure of 2C2P founder Aung Kyaw Moe, who will remain on the board until mid-2025. Under his leadership, the company became a key payment provider for regional enterprises and has since deepened integration with Antom, Ant International’s merchant solutions division. Additionally, 2C2P Thailand CEO Piyachart Ratanaprasartporn is set to retire in April.

The leadership changes come as 2C2P strengthens its role within Ant International’s ecosystem, expanding its payment capabilities to better serve both large enterprises and SMEs.

Yendo Appoints Thibault Fulconis as CFO to Drive Financial Strategy

Yendo has named Thibault Fulconis as its new Chief Financial Officer, reinforcing its leadership as the fintech company enters its next growth phase. Fulconis, a seasoned financial executive with over 30 years of experience, will oversee financial strategy, capital markets management, and financial operations.

Previously, Fulconis served as CFO of Varo Bank, where he played a pivotal role in securing its national bank charter and driving a 70-fold revenue increase. His career also includes leadership roles at Bank of the West as Vice Chairman and CFO, as well as extensive experience at BNP Paribas.

Jordan Miller, Yendo’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized Fulconis’ expertise in scaling financial operations, stating that his leadership will be instrumental in the company’s expansion. With Yendo experiencing over 300% growth last year and serving tens of thousands of customers across 40 U.S. states, Fulconis’ appointment signals the company’s commitment to financial innovation and operational excellence.

EC Markets Appoints Sherwan Zeybo as Global Head of Business Development

EC Markets has named Sherwan Zeybo as its new Global Head of Business Development, bringing over a decade of industry experience to the role. Based in Cyprus, Zeybo previously led global business development and partnerships at FXGT for five years and has held key positions at t4trade, Eurotrader, BDSwiss, and AAATrade.

His appointment comes as EC Markets strengthens its international footprint across its regulated entities in London, Australia, and South Africa, alongside offshore operations in Seychelles and Mauritius. Zeybo’s expertise is expected to play a crucial role in expanding the broker’s global reach and business development initiatives in the competitive forex and CFDs sector.

The leadership transition follows EC Markets’ August 2024 global expansion and rebranding initiative, aimed at reinforcing its market position and commitment to innovation.

NAGA MENA Promotes Paul Turner to Senior Executive Officer​

NAGA MENA has elevated Paul Turner from Executive Director to Senior Executive Officer as part of its leadership restructuring. The promotion underscores Turner’s expanded role in driving strategic initiatives, regulatory oversight, and operational performance for the firm’s regional operations.

With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Turner has held senior positions at major institutions, demonstrating expertise in managing complex projects and leading high-performing teams. Since joining NAGA, he has played a key role in the company’s growth and strategic direction.

NAGA Group CEO Octavian Patrascu highlighted Turner’s contributions, emphasizing his leadership and strategic vision in supporting the firm’s expansion. The leadership transition reflects NAGA MENA’s commitment to strengthening its executive team as it continues its regional growth trajectory.