Online trading firm IG Group announced today that Rakesh Bhasin has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Company.  Mr. Bhasin has also been appointed as a member of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee of the Board.

The addition of Mr. Bhasin is part of a series of ESG appointments made by the company. Most recently, IG Group created the role of ESG Manager, responsible for leading and further developing the business’s ESG agenda, including managing the company’s environmental impact and driving ESG programmes and initiatives. In May, the company announced that it had hired Ben Hemington from from Teach First to fill the new position.

In welcoming Mr. Bhasin to the board, IG Group highlighted his extensive experience in technology and global markets, particularly in Asia Pacific.

Commenting on the appointment, Company Chairman Mike McTighe said:

“Following an extensive, externally facilitated search I am delighted to welcome Rakesh to the Board. He is a highly experienced Non-Executive Director with significant experience in the Asia Pacific region. Rakesh will complement the range of skills of our existing Board members.”

Bhasin is a Non-Executive Director for a portfolio of companies in multiple sectors and is also Chairman of CMC Networks, a Carlyle Group investment company based in Africa, focused on providing telecommunications services across Africa and the Middle East.

In terms of executive experience, Bhasin was the CEO and a member of the Board of Colt Technology Services, a Fidelity owned company providing network, voice, and data centre services globally. He was appointed into the role of CEO in December 2006 and completed his tenure at the end of 2015, concluding his secondment from Fidelity. He also served as Non-Executive Chairman of KVH, an Asian based technology company with headquarters in Tokyo and operations in Hong Kong, Seoul and Singapore, and Non-Executive Chairman of Market Prizm, a financial services focused technology company.

Additionally, Bhasin held senior positions within AT&T, including Head of AT&T Asia Pacific’s managed network services business and President, AT&T Japan Ltd. He was also formerly Senior Managing Director of Japan Telecom Company Limited.

Mr. Bhasin has a BSc, degree in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University.

Rakesh Bhasin said:

“IG Group is an award winning multi-platform trading company with strong technology assets and an exciting growth strategy. I’m looking forward to working with the Board and the management team to realise further the potential of the business.”