IG Group Appoints Qu Zhao as Japan CEO

IG Group has appointed Qu Zhao as Chief Executive Officer of its Japanese subsidiary, IG Securities Japan, marking a key leadership change in one of the broker’s long-standing Asian markets.

Zhao replaces Tomoharu Furuichi, who stepped down earlier this year after nearly seven years in the role. Furuichi oversaw a period of rebuilding and localisation for the business, which had previously faced operational challenges before returning to growth.

Zhao joins IG from Moomoo, where she spent the past two years as Chief Marketing Officer for Japan. Her appointment represents IG’s second senior hire from the Tencent-backed platform within a year, following the earlier recruitment of a Singapore CEO from the same firm.

Prior to Moomoo, Zhao held senior regional roles at Tinder, serving as Japan Country Head and Head of East Asia, overseeing markets including Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. She also spent several years at BIGO, where she led growth and operations across Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region. Earlier in her career, she co-founded Tokyo-based WorkHub, where she served as CEO.

Her background is notably rooted in consumer technology, user acquisition, and digital engagement, rather than traditional brokerage operations. The hire suggests a shift in focus toward client growth, retention, and platform engagement in Japan’s mature and highly competitive retail trading market.

The leadership change comes as IG continues to adapt its Japan business. The broker recently made adjustments to its product offering and client programmes in response to local regulatory developments, while also facing increasing competition and evolving client behaviour in the region.

Japan remains a strategically important market for IG, with the group reporting £248 million in segregated client funds held for its Japanese subsidiary as of end-2025, highlighting the scale of its local operations.

Zhao’s appointment signals IG’s intent to strengthen its positioning in the market through a more growth- and engagement-focused leadership approach, as it looks to build on its established presence in the country.