FNG Exclusive… FNG has learned that Dubai based brokerage infrastructure company GTN is continuing a recent hiring spree, focusing mainly on expansion in the UK and Europe, hiring London based executive Mark Evans as its new Head of Corporate Development.

Mark’s remit at GTN will include mergers and acquisitions, and other growth initiatives.

Mark Evans joins GTN after spending the past 10+ years at leading UK online broker IG Group (before leaving late last year), with his most recent role at IG being Head of Corporate Development. He led group-wide M&A strategy and execution for IG, including overseeing the $1bn tastytrade acquisition, the acquisitions of Independent Reserve (A$178m) and Freetrade (£160m), and most recently the sale of Small Exchange to Kraken ($100m).

Prior to his time at IG, Mark was a Vice President at Barclays, leading the UK and European credit card and payments business for Barclays.

Earlier this month GTN hired Salim Sebbata in London, as Chief Commercial Officer for Europe. The company also recently added Sweden based executive Simon Bolvig Mark as Customer Success Manager.

GTN is backed by strategic investors IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and SBI Group, one of the largest financial services firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The company is run mainly from Dubai, led by Group CEO and co-founder Manjula Jayasinghe, and UAE CEO Damian Bunce.

Mark posted the following note on LinkedIn regarding his decision to join GTN.

Delighted to share that I’ve joined GTN as Head of Corporate Development.

GTN builds the infrastructure that lets fintechs and institutions offer trading and investing globally. The growth trajectory is already strong, and having now spent time with the team and the platform I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen.

My focus: M&A and new strategy and growth initiatives as the business enters its next phase.

Grateful to leadership team for the trust and warm welcome. Excited to get to work!