ADS Securities further strengthens Global Markets, Asset & Wealth Management Business

ADS Securities, the Abu Dhabi based and owned international financial services company, today announced two further executive promotions at its corporate headquarters. Dr. Ryan Lemand has been appointed Head of Asset Management & Wealth Management, and Marcelo Vasques has also been named as Head of Global Markets, Abu Dhabi.

At ADS Securities, Mr. Vasques will report into Claus Nikolajsen, Managing Director- Head of Global Markets & Investment Banking

Matteo Legler, Chief Operating Officer, ADS Securities, said: “For us to truly realize the enormous potential of our Global Markets and Asset & Wealth Management business, it is critical we empower high-calibre, seasoned executives to run it. Both Ryan and Marcelo possess the unique combination of vision and leadership that will allow them to take our business to the next level.”

Since joining ADS Securities as Head of Managed Solutions & Business Development, Asset Management, in September 2015, Dr Lemand has led the establishment of exclusive relationships with flagship international funds and spearheaded the development of ADS’ managed accounts platform. Dr Lemand joined ADS Securities from the Emirates Securities & Commodities Authority, where he was Senior Advisor and Head of Risk Management.

He also held roles as a Senior Portfolio Manager at Fortis Investments in London and Paris, where he started his career as a Credit Default Swap trader, and has taught financial econometrics courses at the Paris II-Assas University and Paris IX-Dauphine University. Dr Lemand holds a PhD (summa cum laude) in Financial Econometrics from the École Normale Supérieure, France, and is the author of two books on financial contagion, as well as a number of research articles on financial correlation.

Mr Vasques is a seasoned expert in credit trading, having previously served as Head of Credit Trading & Sales at Shuaa PLC, EFG Hermes, Arqaam Capital, and Troika Dialog in Moscow. Prior to this, he was Executive Director, Trading & Sales at ABN AMRO Bank, one of the market making pioneers in emerging market bonds & loans, where he played an instrumental role in capturing market share across CEEMEA, Latin America and Central Asia. He spent more than 17 years at ABN in Sao Paulo, New York, Amsterdam and London, where he first joined as a MOYDFA and WI Trader, prior to their conversion to Brady Bonds.

Mr Vasques began his career as a Credit Analyst with Merrill Lynch before becoming a trader at Citibank and BankBoston where he specialized in local market government treasury notes, bonds and export notes.

Since its launch, the firm’s Asset & Wealth Management business has seen immense growth in both client base and Assets under Management (AUM). By establishing counter-cyclical products that leverage on the high return of the MENA region’s equities and fixed income markets, the Asset & Wealth Management team has developed a unique offering to European investors suffering from a low yield environment and ultimately, importing capital to the region’s assets rather than just exporting it. Later this year, ADS Securities will be launching its Managed Accounts platform, a first in the region, serving both international and regional clients.

The Global Markets business managed ADS Securities’ role as joint book-runner, with Goldman Sachs International and Anoa Capital, for the two tranches of the Etihad Airways Platform Financing bond in 2015/16, which successfully raised US$ 700m and US $500m over the two issuances.

ADS Securities has become the centre for FX trading for the wider region, moving from zero volume to trading up to US$16 billion a day. The firm offers a range of FX, CFD and precious metal trading, as well as Global Market, Investment Banking, Wealth and Asset Management. It is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, and has offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and London.