CFI Group Appoints Global Experts to Strengthen Its Board of Directors
<p>CFI Group, a global leader in online trading and investing headquartered in the UAE, has strengthened its Board of Directors with the appointment of three highly respected independent experts. This move marks an important milestone in the group’s long-term strategy as it focuses on stronger governance, sustainable innovation, and global expansion.</p><p>The newly appointed board members—<strong>Federico Cirulli</strong>, <strong>David Haglund</strong>, and <strong>Prema Varadhan</strong>—bring a powerful combination of capital markets knowledge, financial technology innovation, investment leadership, and regulatory expertise. Their addition reflects CFI Group’s commitment to maintaining world-class standards as it continues to scale across international markets.</p><h3><strong>A Board Strengthened by Diverse Global Expertise</strong></h3><p>Each of the three appointees has an impressive track record and experience across major financial and technology sectors.</p><h4><strong>Federico Cirulli: Capital Markets & Brokerage Specialist</strong></h4><p>With more than 20 years of leadership in regulated brokerages and asset management across Europe, Federico Cirulli brings significant depth to the board. He previously served as CEO of ActivTrades UK and Swissquote UK (now MIG Capital), and also held senior roles at CMC Markets UK.</p><p>Cirulli is widely known for driving digital transformation and supporting global expansion strategies. Currently serving as CEO of Atlantide Asset Management, he brings strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks, M&A strategy, and sustainable business growth. His experience is expected to support CFI’s long-term expansion across global markets.</p><h4><strong>David Haglund: Corporate Governance & Institutional Investment Expertise</strong></h4><p>David Haglund joins with over two decades of investment management and governance experience. A former portfolio manager at Franklin Templeton, he has managed multi-billion-dollar funds across global and emerging markets.</p><p>Haglund also served on the Board of Aramex, the international logistics leader listed on the Dubai Financial Market. There, he contributed to governance, audit oversight, risk management, and sustainability strategy. His strong background in institutional markets and corporate governance will enhance CFI’s risk oversight and strategic decision-making as the company continues its global expansion.</p><h4><strong>Prema Varadhan: Fintech & AI Transformation Leader</strong></h4><p>With over 25 years in global fintech product development, cloud transformation, and AI-driven financial platforms, Prema Varadhan brings cutting-edge innovation to the board. As President of Product and COO at Temenos, she has led large-scale digital transformation across major banks and financial institutions.</p><p>Recognised as one of the <strong>Top 100 Women in Fintech</strong>, she specialises in AI-enabled financial infrastructure, enterprise software strategy, and scalable technology solutions. Her contribution will be crucial as CFI builds advanced trading technology and enhances its digital capabilities worldwide.</p><h3><strong>A Vision of Governance as a Strategic Advantage</strong></h3><p>CFI Group emphasises governance not as an obligation, but as a critical driver of innovation and sustainable growth. These appointments demonstrate the group’s commitment to aligning its global operations with the highest standards of oversight, accountability, and ethical leadership.</p><p>Chairman <strong>Hisham Mansour</strong> highlighted this in his statement:</p><blockquote><p>“The right board doesn’t just guide a company; it elevates it. These new appointments bring outstanding expertise across institutional markets, fintech innovation, and governance. Federico, David, and Prema will help sharpen our strategy and strengthen our ability to grow responsibly.”</p></blockquote><p>He added that their perspectives and experience will support CFI’s mission to build a company rooted in ambition, integrity, discipline, and purpose.</p><h3><strong>Governance as the Foundation for the Future</strong></h3><p>CFI Group’s announcement comes at a time when the company is expanding rapidly across regions, product offerings, and digital capabilities. Strengthening board oversight ensures that the company continues to operate with a high degree of regulatory excellence and long-term vision.</p><p>With more than <strong>25 years of operational experience</strong>, <strong>14 international licences</strong>, and a growing global footprint, CFI is increasingly recognised as a trusted and mature financial institution. By reinforcing governance at the board level, the group aims to build a strong foundation for its next phase of transformation—one focused on stability, innovation, transparency, and long-term customer trust.</p><h3><strong>A Clear Step Toward Sustainable Growth</strong></h3><p>The appointment of these three global leaders represents more than just expansion—it signals the beginning of a new chapter for CFI Group. By strengthening its Board of Directors, the company is setting the stage for responsible growth built on strong governance, technological advancement, and a vision to serve global markets with excellence.</p><p>As CFI enters its next phase, the expertise of Federico Cirulli, David Haglund, and Prema Varadhan will play a central role in shaping the company’s future and ensuring it continues to innovate with purpose and confidence.</p>