Finance Magnates Awards 2026: B2C CEO of the Year

Finance Magnates has named Ziad Melhem, Group CEO of CFI Financial Group, as Brokerage (B2C) CEO of the Year 2026, recognising his contribution to the company's record trading performance and continued development as an international brokerage group.

The award was announced at the Finance Magnates Awards Gala Dinner & Ceremony in Limassol, Cyprus, on 6 November 2026, recognising business leaders and companies across online trading, fintech, payments and financial services.

Since becoming Group CEO in June 2025, Melhem has overseen a period of increased client activity, business development and investment in CFI's long-term capabilities.

Ziad Melhem: From Group CMO to CEO

Ziad Melhem is CEO of CFI Financial Group, leading the Group’s global strategy, operational performance and expansion across MENA and key international markets. Previously CFI’s Group CMO, he brings extensive experience across finance, technology and business development, with a focus on long-term value creation, client trust and sustainable growth.

Melhem's involvement with CFI began in 2022, when he served as a board advisor. He subsequently joined the company's executive leadership team before being appointed Group CEO in June 2025.

CFI Reports Record Trading Volumes Under Melhem's Leadership

CFI Financial Group reported its strongest first half on record in 2026, supported by increased trading activity and client engagement.

According to the company's July 2026 performance announcement:

• Q2 trading volume: $3.03 trillion, an increase of 101% year-on-year.

• H1 trading volume: $5.34 trillion, marking a record first half.

• Active clients: Increased by 8.4% year-on-year.

• Trade executions: More than 42.47 million trades in Q2 2026, up 74% year-on-year.

The results reflect growing activity across CFI's trading platforms, with metals and equity indices contributing to client trading volumes.

Expanding CFI's Global Brokerage Operations

Alongside its trading performance, CFI has continued expanding into international markets, with an emphasis on establishing locally regulated operations and broadening its financial services.

In April 2026, CFI announced that it had secured authorisation from the Central Bank of Brazil to operate as a securities brokerage firm, supporting its expansion into Latin America following its launch in Colombia.

The Group also expanded its product offering, introducing local stock trading in the UAE and broadening its services in Bahrain to include regulated digital asset products following regulatory approval.

Technology investment has accompanied this expansion, including the development of CFI's Global Technology Center in Malaysia, which supports engineering, product development and the Group's international trading operations.

Together, these initiatives reflect Melhem's stated objective of building CFI into a global financial services institution with stronger operational and regulatory foundations.

Finance Magnates Awards 2026: Recognising B2C Leadership

The Finance Magnates Awards 2026 recognised two CEOs in separate categories, highlighting leadership across brokerage services and financial technology.

While Ziad Melhem received the Brokerage (B2C) CEO of the Year award, Cristian Vlasceanu of Centroid Solutions was named Fintech (B2B) CEO of the Year 2026.

Alongside Melhem's individual recognition, CFI Financial Group received two additional awards: Most Established Broker 2026 (MENA) and Most Innovative Broker 2026 (UAE).

The B2C CEO recognition reflects the role of executive leadership in balancing commercial performance, client needs and the operational requirements of running a brokerage across multiple markets.

For the complete results, read the Finance Magnates Awards 2026 winners announcement.