Joanna Frendo
Joanna Frendo, Chief Compliance & Risk Officer at Deriv since 2004, has led the acquisition of 5 licenses and built a 110 person compliance team. She advocates for regulatory harmonization in the FX/CFD industry and admires Elon Musk.
Joanna Frendo, Deriv's Chief Compliance & Risk Officer, started her career in the financial industry in 2004 as the company's first Compliance Officer. Her role involves navigating the complex and evolving regulatory landscape across Deriv's various global jurisdictions, a challenge she finds rewarding. She highlights Deriv's 25 year history and client centric approach as key differentiators, focusing on democratizing trading through constant innovation. Frendo considers her greatest professional success to be acquiring 5 licenses and building a robust 110 person Compliance, Risk, and Audit team. She believes the FX/CFD industry would significantly benefit from global regulatory harmonization to promote transparency and investor protection.
Executive Profile and Compliance Strategy
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Joanna Frendo |
| Company | Deriv |
| Current Position | Chief Compliance & Risk Officer |
| In FX/CFD Industry Since | 2004 |
| Favorite music | Soft Rock |
| Favorite movie | Too many to mention! |
| Favorite cuisine | Italian |
| Favorite sport | Swimming |
Motivation and Industry Role
What brought you to the FX/CFD industry?
My journey in the financial industry began in 2004 when I joined Deriv as the first Compliance Officer, driven by the desire to expand my knowledge and expertise within this dynamic sector.
What do you like the most about your job/industry?
Deriv Group is regulated in various jurisdictions, and this role provides me with the ability to navigate a complex landscape of evolving jurisdictions and regulations. This demands a dynamic and proactive approach to remain informed of all directives and ensure the implementation of best practices from a legal perspective.
Company Differentiation and Industry Improvement
How does your company differ from its competitors?
Deriv has a long standing presence in the financial industry. We recently celebrated our 25th anniversary across multiple offices worldwide. What sets us apart is our client centric approach, as we strive to provide the best possible trading environment for our clients. Our mission is to democratise trading and constantly innovate by offering multiple trade types, platforms, and products, designed with our client’s needs in mind.
What can be improved in the FX/CFD industry?
Regulatory harmonisation across jurisdictions would be a significant step towards enhancing transparency and building trust within the financial industry. A unified framework would minimise regulatory arbitrage, promote consistent standards for investor protection, and ultimately offer a more equitable environment for both brokers and traders.
Success, Influences, and Personal Insights
What do you consider to be your biggest success so far?
Having acquired 5 licenses over the years and building a robust Compliance, Risk and Audit team comprising 110 dedicated professionals.
If you had one chance to have dinner with an influential person you admire, who would that be?
Elon Musk
Which travel destination has impressed you the most so far?
I have the opportunity to travel quite often and connect with colleagues across our global network of offices. Whenever meeting new colleagues or reconnecting with familiar faces, I’m consistently impressed by the shared sense of purpose and vibrant energy that unites the Deriv team worldwide.
Which characteristics do you admire the most about people?
I value integrity, experience, and a strong work ethic. I believe in creating a collaborative environment where team members are empowered to achieve milestones and contribute to our continued growth.
What action will you never do again?
Our industry moves too fast to look back. I’d rather stay focused and always look ahead. Every experience, whether positive or negative, provides invaluable insights that shape my approach to leadership and problem solving. By reflecting on past challenges we can develop new skill sets, refine our processes, and ultimately build a more resilient and successful organisation.
If you had a time machine, to which year you would go and why?
2124, I would love to understand how AI would have evolved by then and how humans interact.