Exness

Meet the MENA Team Leaders

A GC Exclusive with Exness

A multi-asset broker and fintech company with a record-breaking $1 trillion monthly trading volume in October 2021, Exness has been sending ripples through the industry since its inception in 2008, and continues to witness rapid growth and global milestones to this day.

In particular, Exness has witnessed outstanding growth in the MENA region this past year, and has taken home numerous distinguished awards such as Most Innovative Broker at the Dubai Expo 2021, Best Customer Support award and Best Premium Loyalty Program award at the Financial Markets Exhibition in Cairo.

Just this August, we met with Mohamad Ibrahim, the broker’s Regional Director for the MENA region. We discussed the Exness brand and how its values account for its success to date, we spoke all things MENA, from what local clients look for to how marketing works best in the region, and we discovered a little more about Exness’ take on the potential of the region at large.

Today, we shift the spotlight to the team leaders making the magic happen behind the scenes.

Without further ado, meet the Exness MENA team leaders.

Lamees Hoteit

Background

Lamees is Exness’ Regional Marketing Manager for the MENA region. Her mission is to expand the Exness brand reach and introduce its superb customer value to clients in the region. She is an experienced marketing professional within the fintech industry with a background in retail banking and education. Lamees holds dual degrees in Business Administration, from the American University of Beirut, and in Education, from Brunel University in London. She is passionate about working with a diverse range of people and forming meaningful connections, and is always striving to build strong relationships as part of her job.

Business Motto

Together, everyone achieves more.

Life Motto

Life is a dance, just catch the beat. Lamees Hoteit Regional Marketing Manager (MENA Region)

Mini Interview

What differentiates Exness from other brokers?

Exness stands out as a broker in many ways. For me, the most obvious and admirable of those is its focus on people - whether that’s clients, partners or employees. Customers’ interest is put at the forefront of everything we do at Exness; from the way our products and technology are built and constantly adapted and innovated, to the way we offer customer support and rewards. Equally, Exness values its partners and employees and goes to great lengths to promote their well being and enable their growth and development.

What is so special about the MENA region when it comes to the world of investment?

The MENA region is a very exciting place to be working within, due to its unique cultural, geopolitical and historic characteristics. For a marketing professional, this makes it both a challenge and an opportunity. Furthermore, the client base from this region is like no other; it consists mostly of the young and ambitious, who are jostling to find ways to achieve more within the ever changing and challenging environment that the region is facing. Learning how to serve them well and provide them with that unique Exness value, is a very rewarding exercise.

Wael Makarem Senior Market Strategist (MENA Region)

Wael Makarem

Background

Wael is Exness’ Senior Market Strategist for the MENA region, a Certified Investment Management Analyst by the Investment and Wealth Institute and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments. During his career, he has conducted countless webinars and seminars where he has shared his knowledge and expertise with traders and investors. Representing Exness, he is a weekly guest on several TV shows where he explains his vision of the markets to investors. His analysis is also frequently quoted and cited in world-class media such as Reuters, Yahoo Finance, and Gulf News.

Business Motto

Ethics and integrity rank above financials. In business, there is always money on the table but what matters the most is deserving it.

Life Motto

Sharing rough experiences can save others from suffering.

Mini Interview

What differentiates Exness from other brokers?

Exness’s approach to doing business is really customer-centric which differentiates it from other players in the industry, especially those who put their business goals ahead of their clients’ interests. Investing heavily in technology and implementing scientific methods in all perspectives, in addition to the integrity of the management team, has driven the company to acquiring a leadership position in the market.

What is so special about the MENA region when it comes to the world of investment?

The youth in the MENA region are seeking more knowledge about investments, putting in the time and effort to understand how different financial markets operate and how they can benefit from its movements. Investing is becoming more and more popular, and due to challenges in different countries, this generation is keen - through proper investing- to ease the impact of numerous challenges that they are facing.

Shadi Salloum Senior Key Account Manager (MENA Region)

Shadi Salloum

Background

Shadi has been in the financial services industry for 11 years, holding important sales positions in some of the sector’s biggest companies. Having studied Economics at Aleppo University, he graduated and entered the world of finance immediately with a keen appetite to add value to the experience of investors. At Exness, he leads a team of relationship managers, focusing on creating and maintaining relationships with clients. It is Shadi’s strong belief that we make our own luck through hard work, dedication and constant self improvement.

Business Motto

Failure is nothing but another piece shaping your success story.

Life Motto

What cannot break you only makes you stronger.

Mini Interview

What differentiates Exness from other brokers?

Exness is a multi-asset, data-driven broker that has managed to establish the best working environment through its clear mission and vision for employees, clients and partners alike. Characterised by integrity, Exness successfully equips our global clients with nothing but the best trading tools and features, and us as employees with the best conditions for professional growth.

What is so special about the MENA region when it comes to the world of investment?

It’s a region with incredible potential, fast evolving needs and a vast pool of clients, all of which have driven many in the financial sector to explore it. Upon opportunity I would like to mention the diversity of the region, which can be reflected in the Exness MENA team itself. This allows us to have a wide reach and expand rapidly in the region, as we forge ties with many clients from different corners of the Middle East and North Africa.

Negin Negahdari

Background

Negin has been working in the financial services sector for three years, and at the age of 23 she is one of the youngest professionals in the field. A dynamic individual, Negin prides herself on her problem solving skills, her ability to take initiative and her commitment to delivering results. At Exness, she handles a portfolio of high value partners and clients, building on the brand’s presence in the region and establishing strong relationships with partners and clients. Her main focus is to ensure clients experience a smooth onboarding process and that all of their needs are met.

Business Motto

Hgh-risk, high return.

Life Motto

Act or accept. Negin Negahdari Key Account Manager (MENA Region)

Mini Interview

What differentiates Exness from other brokers?

Honesty and transparency are two of the company’s key principles, and are highly valued by our clients. Exness clients around the world are growing in number. I am extremely proud to be a part of this growth and to be able to work with such like minded people in the industry. I have been learning non-stop since I joined exness.

What is so special about the MENA region when it comes to the world of investment?

The MENA region is famous for its Islamic culture and rich history. Although the region was a late adopter of FX as an asset class, it has certainly picked up speed and in recent years, welcomed it with open arms. As far as size is concerned, the UAE by far leads the way in terms of FX market size and maturity and thanks to investment into financial market infrastructure, the country now serves as a regional hub for retail and institutional traders.

Ghadi Wakim Key Account Manager (MENA Region)

Ghadi Wakim

Background

Ghadi has over 10 years’ experience in the financial services sector and is currently handling a portfolio of high value partners and clients for the MENA region at Exness. The early years of his career saw him as an investment advisor, while later on he moved to be a relationship manager. Ghadi holds a BA in Economics from Saint Joseph University Beirut and an MBA from ESA Business School Beirut. He describes himself as self-driven and motivated and considers his strong knowledge of the financial markets as key in being able to build relationships with clients and partners, thus helping expand the Exness business.

Business Motto

Don’t worry about building the whole wall, just lay one perfect brick every day.

Life Motto

Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

Mini Interview

What differentiates Exness from other brokers?

Exness prides itself on creating the most efficient and frictionless trading conditions for its clients through its robust, algorithmic technology. On a personal level, I consider that what is so special about Exness is that it cares about its clients and aims at building long lasting relationships with them. This is proven not only through how clients are treated, but by conditions such as null compensations, our gap level rule, no market impact, swap-free trading, etc.

Simon Massabni

What is so special about the MENA region when it comes to the world of investment?

The MENA region benefits from a privileged geographical location, access to large markets, numerous fast growing economies, as well as a young and increasingly educated population. All of this creates an opportunity for us to offer our services to hedgers, speculators and investors, who can all benefit from our progressive technology and services as we expand in the region.

Background

Simon-Peter Massabni has a demonstrated history in the fintech industry and has recently joined exness to lead a team of relationship managers responsible for creating and maintaining relationships with partners and clients. Simon holds a degree in Marketing Communications and has been working in sales and business development related roles since 2009. Simon believes that businesses should focus not only on customer acquisition but also on retention through exceptional service. In addition to being a seasoned sales expert, Simon is also an experienced speaker and trainer, having travelled extensively to make numerous presentations and public appearances. Through his experience in leading teams, he has come to discover that whilst each individual is unique and uniquely driven, nothing compares to a team which shares a common vision and values and whose members push each other towards success.

Business Motto

Whenever one enjoys their job, they never have to work a single day in their life.

Simon Massabni Senior Key Account Manager (MENA Region)

Life Motto

Push yourself beyond your limits.

Mini Interview

What differentiates Exness from other brokers?

Exness, to me, is like a Japanese candlestick in a chart; it has brought together my passion, my skills, my achievements and my dreams, all into one place. A scientific approach and integrity were not the only factors about the Exness Ideology that enticed me. The fintech market lacks empathy, and Exness is built upon care, starting from the directors and rippling through all employees. Exness takes care of our physical and mental well being, which is something truly unique. They recognise that well nurtured employees will guarantee an excellent service.

What is so special about the MENA region when it comes to the world of investment?

The MENA region presents a challenging market; one where it is difficult to excel and stand out when it comes to various elements, from payment solutions, smooth and safe trading conditions, competitive pricing, competent partnership remuneration and generous loyalty programs. The challenge itself makes the region special, and acts as proof of what an outstanding broker Exness is, having managed to grow exponentially in the region and with many more plans for continued growth.

Shayma Ghanim

Background

Shayma is an experienced sales team leader with a demonstrated history of working in the FX markets for over 10 years, between Cyprus and Dubai. At Exness, she leads a team of relationship managers, focusing on creating and maintaining relationships with clients. She holds a BA in Economics and Finance and an MA in International Relations. With a strategic understanding of different financial services, as well as regulatory bodies such as DIFC, FCA, and CySEC, Shayma has a strong grasp of the infrastructure within which brokers operate. Her strengths lie in creating new leads for the company, and building and maintaining a strong client base by assessing deals and anchoring offers, but above all by understanding clients’ requirements.

Business Motto

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Life Motto

Pick your battles. Shayma Ghanim Senior Key Account Manager (MENA)

Mini Interview

What differentiates Exness from other brokers?

Exness is a multi-asset broker which offers distinguished trading conditions and outstanding execution, always keeping in line with our values of ethics and integrity. Exness has created its own scientific and algorithmicled product development approach, and I am very glad to be part of a broker that has such an ideology. I can definitely call myself a proud Exnessian and I look forward to being part of the company’s next milestones, both in MENA and globally.

What is so special about the MENA region when it comes to the world of investment?

The strategic location of the MENA region in the middle of the old world (Asia, Africa and Europe) makes it an important financial hub for FX flow, especially because of the increased awareness that is attracting new traders everyday. The MENA region has great potential and Exness is discovering that potential every day.