Abu Dhabi and London-based online brokerage firm ADSS has announced that it has gone “outside the industry” and hired Holly Joint who will join the firm as its new Global Chief Operating Officer (COO).

In her new role, Holly will be responsible for spearheading the development and execution of the company’s growth strategy including expansion of ADSS’ institutional and retail client base in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, as well as enhancing operational efficiencies to allow the firm to better service its client base.

Holly Joint brings over 20 years of executive management experience, with a career focused on developing and executing business and digital transformation strategies that deliver sustainable growth. Prior to joining ADSS, Holly led digital transformation at a group level for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), enacting the digital strategy to enhance the customer experience and strengthen operational performance and governance. Before her role at ADCB, Holly was Chief Transformation Officer for Farah Experiences, a subsidiary of Miral Asset Management. She also brings an entrepreneurial mindset through her experience with start-ups, working in Accenture’s eCommerce Innovation Centre earlier in her career, alongside launching and running a business with British entrepreneur Peter Jones.

Holly spent the years 2009-2010 as Programme Director for Qatar’s successful 2022 World Cup Bid, where she developed the strategy, established the PMO, set up all operations and led the coordination and delivery of all aspects of the winning bid.

On the new appointment, Mahmood Al Mahmood,  Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ADSS, said:

“Rapidly deploying cutting-edge technology will be essential as ADSS becomes an industry-leading brokerage that delivers best-in-class client services and products. Holly’s remarkable experience in leading businesses through digital transformation will help us progress at an accelerated pace, allowing us to fully capitalise on the opportunities in front of us.”

Discussing her priorities in her new role, Holly Joint, COO of ADSS, said:

“Through employing next generation technologies both to enhance our internal operations and to reimagine our products and services for clients, there is a significant opportunity for ADSS to substantially ramp-up its wider growth strategy. It is certainly an exciting time to be joining ADSS and I’m looking forward to working with the high-calibre team in this next phase of ADSS’ journey.”

With Holly’s appointment, the company said that women now represent 36% of ADSS’ executive management team, significantly surpassing the global industry average of 24%, according to Deloitte. In line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and various initiatives led by the UAE’s leadership, ADSS said it has prioritised levelling the playing field for women in financial services, fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace across its London and Abu Dhabi offices.