Global proprietary trading firm Maven Securities has strengthened its growing presence in the Middle East with the appointment of Igor Ninkovic, a former portfolio manager at Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, as part of its expansion into Dubai's increasingly competitive institutional trading and investment landscape.
The appointment, reported by Financial News on November 3, 2026, marks another significant step in Maven Securities' strategy to establish a stronger regional trading presence following the opening of its new office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Ninkovic brings extensive experience in global macro trading, having previously worked at several prominent financial institutions, including Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, Citadel, and Barclays. His background in managing investment strategies across global financial markets is expected to complement Maven's existing trading capabilities as the firm expands its international operations.
Before joining Maven, Ninkovic spent approximately three years at Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, where he worked as a macro portfolio manager between 2021 and 2024. His responsibilities involved trading strategies linked to broader macroeconomic developments, including movements in interest rates, currencies, and other major financial market instruments.
Earlier in his career, he spent approximately five years at Citadel in London and held a trading position at Barclays, gaining experience across institutional financial markets and investment strategies.
Following his departure from Schonfeld in 2024, Ninkovic also ventured into entrepreneurship, co-founding Ka Lu Raw Baker, a Dubai-based food business, before returning to the institutional trading industry through his latest appointment at Maven Securities.
His arrival comes as Maven continues building its Dubai operations, which were established as part of the firm's efforts to expand its international trading footprint and strengthen access to financial markets across the Middle East.
The company's Dubai office, located within the DIFC, brings together several senior investment professionals, including Maven co-founder Ian Toon and portfolio manager Surojit Roy.
Toon, who has played a central role in Maven's development since its establishment in 2011, has been involved in the firm's regional expansion as Dubai attracts an increasing number of international proprietary trading firms, hedge funds, and portfolio management professionals.
Founded in London, Maven Securities specializes in proprietary trading, market making, and investment strategies across multiple asset classes. The firm deploys its own capital through discretionary and systematic trading approaches, supported by advanced technology, quantitative research, and risk management infrastructure.
Its business model combines specialist trading expertise with sophisticated execution systems designed to identify opportunities across global financial markets, including derivatives and other institutional investment instruments.
The expansion into Dubai reflects a broader industry trend in which international trading firms and hedge funds are establishing offices in the United Arab Emirates to benefit from its financial infrastructure, strategic geographical position, and expanding community of investment professionals.
The Dubai International Financial Centre has emerged as a prominent destination for institutional investors and international asset managers, with firms including Millennium Management, Point72, Balyasny Asset Management, and Schonfeld Strategic Advisors establishing operations in the financial district.
The growing concentration of investment firms has also intensified competition for experienced portfolio managers, traders, and quantitative investment professionals, particularly those specializing in global macro strategies and sophisticated financial instruments.
For Maven Securities, the recruitment of Ninkovic represents an additional investment in trading expertise as the company develops its presence within this expanding financial ecosystem.
His experience across leading global trading organizations provides Maven with access to specialized knowledge of macroeconomic investment strategies and institutional market dynamics.
As Dubai continues attracting financial institutions seeking to expand their international operations, Maven Securities' latest appointment highlights the increasing importance of experienced trading professionals in supporting the growth of the region's institutional financial markets.
The addition of Ninkovic further reinforces the company's commitment to developing its Dubai operations and strengthening its position within the global proprietary trading industry.
