Pepperstone Names New Middle East and MENA Sales Heads

Pepperstone appoints Mohammed Almadhoun as Head of Middle East and Osama Hamdan as Head of Sales

Pepperstone has appointed Mohammed Almadhoun as Head of Middle East and Osama Hamdan as Head of Sales as the Australia-based online broker expands its presence across the MENA region.

The appointments follow Pepperstone's expansion into the UAE with a CMA Category 5 license and Dubai office. The company is also increasing its investment in regional leadership as it grows across the GCC and wider Middle East and North Africa markets.

For readers following this news, the key points are simple. Two senior regional roles have been filled, and the company is building a team to serve clients across several markets at once.

Why regional leadership matters for clients

Senior hires like these often show how a broker plans to serve clients over the coming years. Local leadership can influence which services are prioritised, how support is organised and how quickly new features reach a specific market.

Local leadership matters across the Middle East because trading habits, language preferences and client expectations can differ from one market to another. A team that understands these differences is better placed to design services that fit.

Investment in people is also a signal of commitment. Building a local team takes time and resources, so the decision to hire senior staff in a region usually reflects a long-term view rather than a short-term campaign.

What clients may notice first

Changes in regional leadership are rarely visible overnight. Clients may first notice differences in response times, the language of onboarding materials or the way local educational sessions are scheduled.

Over time, a stronger local team can also make it easier to raise feedback about account funding, platform features and product availability.

Mohammed Almadhoun's role and background

Almadhoun will oversee Pepperstone's operations across the region and its growth plans. He will support market expansion and help develop the broker's services for clients in the region.

He joins Pepperstone from Equiti Group, where he was Sales Director. Before that, Almadhoun spent eight years at ADSS in commercial and partnership leadership positions. His background includes regional business development and strategic partnerships across the UAE.

Experience in partnerships can be valuable for a broker. Relationships with introducing partners, institutions and local businesses often shape how a company reaches new clients in a regulated market.

Why partnerships matter in regulated markets

In regulated markets, partnerships must fit within the rules that apply to each entity and jurisdiction. A business development leader needs to understand what can be promoted, to whom and under which conditions.

Clear compliance processes help protect both the broker and its clients as the business grows.

Osama Hamdan's sales responsibilities

Hamdan will lead Pepperstone's regional sales strategy, with responsibility for business development, client acquisition, and partner relationships. He previously worked at XTB, where he was most recently Director of Business Development.

He also held senior commercial roles at Axi and ADSS, gaining experience in sales, client acquisition, and business development across the Middle East.

A sales leader's remit usually covers more than targets. It includes how a firm finds clients, how it works with partners and how it keeps those relationships strong over time.

Sales leadership and client quality

Good sales leadership should be measured by client outcomes as well as growth. Traders benefit when onboarding is clear, when information is accurate and when a firm avoids pressure selling.

• Clear explanations of products, costs and risks before an account is opened.
• Accurate information about the regulator and the entity that holds the account.
• Support channels that respond quickly when problems arise.

Reed Sayer and wider leadership changes

The appointments come shortly after Pepperstone hired Reed Sayer as its new Head of UK. Sayer also joined the company from XTB.

Taken together, the moves show a broker building leadership in several markets at once. Firms that hire across regions often aim to keep standards consistent while adapting their services to local needs.

What the leaders say about the hires

Marc Boever, Head of EMEA at Pepperstone, said:

"The Middle East remains one of the most dynamic and strategically important regions for Pepperstone. As demand for sophisticated trading solutions continues to grow, investing in exceptional local leadership is essential. Osama and Mohammed each bring an outstanding combination of industry expertise, commercial acumen, and regional knowledge that will help us deepen client relationships, accelerate growth, and strengthen our position across MENA. We're delighted to welcome them both to the Pepperstone team."

Mohammed Almadhoun, Head of Middle East at Pepperstone, added:

"The MENA region continues to offer significant opportunities as more people participate in trading and financial markets become more sophisticated. I'm excited to join Pepperstone at this stage of its regional growth and look forward to expanding our local presence while delivering greater value to traders across the region."

Osama Hamdan, Head of Sales at Pepperstone, said:

"Pepperstone has built a strong global reputation by putting traders first through innovative technology, competitive trading conditions, and high-quality client service. I'm excited to work with our clients and partners as we expand our presence across the Middle East."

The new hires support Pepperstone's long-term plans for the the east. The company will combine its trading technology and market access with leadership that has direct experience in the region.

Reading quotes with care

Quotes in company announcements are written to highlight strategy and commitment. They are useful for understanding direction, but they are not a substitute for checking a broker's terms.

How traders can evaluate a broker's regional presence

Announcements like this are useful, but traders should look beyond the headlines. Check the regulatory status of the specific entity that would hold your account, since licences and protections differ by jurisdiction.

For background on how oversight works, read about Financial regulation (Wikipedia). It explains why licensing rules and client protections vary between countries.

Before opening an account, consider a short checklist:

• Confirm the regulator and licence type for the entity you would sign up with.
• Read the client agreement, terms of business and fee schedule.
• Compare spreads, commissions and overnight financing costs.
• Test the trading platform on a demo account before funding.
• Check deposit and withdrawal methods, and how long they take.

Questions to ask before you open an account

A short set of questions can reveal more than a press release. Use them to compare brokers in a consistent way.

Area	What to check	Why it matters
Regulation	The licence held by the entity you would use	Protections depend on the jurisdiction
Costs	Spreads, commissions and overnight financing	Total costs affect trading results
Platform	Stability, tools and mobile access on a demo account	Helps you judge usability before funding
Funding	Deposit and withdrawal methods and timing	Fees and processing times vary

Product availability can also vary by country, so confirm which instruments you can access from your location. Support quality and platform stability matter just as much as headline conditions.

1. Ask which entity would hold your account and which regulator supervises it.
2. Request the full cost breakdown in writing.
3. Check how complaints are handled and what escalation options exist.

About Pepperstone

Pepperstone is an online trading broker that gives clients access to global financial markets. The company provides trading platforms, educational resources, and customer support for both new and experienced traders.

Pepperstone is one of the world's largest forex brokers, with more than 400,000 traders globally. It is regulated by ASIC, SCB, FCA, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, and CySEC.

Further reading on regional appointments

Readers interested in another senior appointment in the region can read Elias Sahyouni Joins GTN Middle East as Senior Trader, Derivatives. It offers a useful comparison of how different firms structure their trading and derivatives teams.

Risk reminder: trading leveraged products such as forex and CFDs carries a high level of risk and can result in losses exceeding your deposit. Only trade with money you can afford to lose and make sure you understand the risks before you start.