Executive Moves of the Week: Senior Hires and Strategic Appointments Across Global Brokers

This week’s executive moves highlight a wave of strategic leadership appointments across global trading, brokerage, and fintech firms. Key hires include Neil Potter joining Britannia Global Markets as Metals Inter-Dealer Broker ahead of LME membership, John Palmer taking the helm of derivatives at Kraken, and Ghaith Alghatas leading Blueberry’s MENA partner network. These appointments underscore the industry’s focus on strengthening trading infrastructure, regulatory compliance, regional expansion, and commercial growth, reflecting a broader trend of firms prioritizing experienced executives to drive operational excellence and global market development.

Britannia Global Markets Hires Metals Veteran Neil Potter Ahead of LME Membership

Britannia Global Markets has appointed metals veteran Neil Potter as a Metals Inter-Dealer Broker, ahead of the firm’s Category 4 London Metal Exchange (LME) membership, which goes live on 2 March 2026. Based in London, Potter will focus on base metals inter-dealer broking, supporting Britannia’s institutional client base as trading volumes and market volatility in metals increase. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the firm expands its capabilities in LME markets.

Potter brings over 40 years of experience in metals trading, beginning in 1984 as a junior ring trader at Anglo Chemical Metals Limited, part of the commodity house Philipp Brothers. By the early 1990s, he was managing the firm’s copper and nickel books, recognized globally for leadership in base metals markets. His career spans traditional floor trading, electronic broking, and the evolution of modern market structures, providing a deep understanding of execution, risk management, and client relationships.

The hire reflects Britannia Global Markets’ commitment to strengthening its institutional metals offering as it gains direct LME access. Potter’s expertise is expected to enhance trading strategy, execution quality, and client support across the firm’s FX, commodities, and derivatives broking services, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for institutional clients across Europe, the US, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.

Kraken Hires IEX Product Head John Palmer to Lead Global Derivatives

US crypto exchange Kraken has appointed John Palmer as Global Head of Derivatives, strengthening its leadership in regulated and institutional derivatives markets. Palmer joins from IEX, where he most recently served as Head of Cross-Asset Product, overseeing development for the firm’s planned options exchange launch in 2026.

Palmer brings extensive experience from the US options and futures markets, including senior roles at Cboe Global Markets—most recently as President of Cboe Digital and SVP of US Derivatives Market Development—as well as product strategy positions at CrossTower, ISE Holdings, Orc Software, and Goldman Sachs.

His appointment adds deep market structure and exchange expertise to Kraken as it scales its global derivatives offering, enhancing product development, trading infrastructure, and institutional client services.

Blueberry Appoints Ghaith Alghatas as Head of Partners for MENA

Australian retail FX and CFDs broker Blueberry has appointed Ghaith Alghatas as Head of Partners for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), strengthening its commercial leadership amid regional expansion. Based in Cyprus, Alghatas will oversee partner acquisition, affiliate management, and relationship development with introducing brokers across the MENA region.

Alghatas joins from Pepperstone, where he served as Senior Partners Manager, and previously held leadership roles at IC Markets, SquaredFinancial, and Windsor Brokers. His experience spans partner onboarding, KPI monitoring, compliance, and regional sales strategy.

The appointment supports Blueberry’s broader push to grow its international footprint, following the recent hire of Magdy Mohamed as Head of Marketing for MENA.