XS.com adds Kasem Hekal to Dubai commercial team as Senior Business Development Manager

Multi-asset broker XS.com has appointed Kasem Hekal as Senior Business Development Manager, based in Dubai, as part of a push to expand its commercial operations across the MENA region.

The brokerage said the hire reflects continued investment in senior commercial expertise, aimed at growing business opportunities, strengthening relationships with clients and partners, and supporting sustainable growth in the region.

Hekal brings more than 15 years of experience in financial services, including over a decade in FX and derivatives sales, account management and business development. He has worked in both Egypt and the UAE, serving high-net-worth and institutional clients while leading sales teams.

Prior roles across the FX industry

His previous positions include senior sales and business development roles at Accuindex MENA, ATFX and MultiBank Group, with earlier stints at GKFX and FXOpen. Before moving into client-facing work, he spent time in financial operations and auditing. He holds an MBA in Finance from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University.

In his new role at XS.com, Hekal will focus on building a pipeline of business opportunities, deepening engagement with clients and partners, and identifying areas for further commercial development. He will work alongside the broker's commercial teams, contributing market insight, supporting targeted business initiatives and converting prospective relationships into long-term partnerships.

Wael Hammad, Group Chief Commercial Officer at XS.com, said that expanding the business requires people who combine commercial judgment with a clear understanding of the clients and partners the firm serves. He said Hekal brings valuable experience across sales, business development and financial operations, together with a relationship-focused approach, adding that the appointment deepens the commercial team and supports the company's commitment to growth built on trust, service and disciplined execution.

Hekal said strong business development starts with listening — understanding what clients value, where partners see opportunity, and how a business can respond with relevance and consistency. He described XS.com as a compelling environment in which to put that approach into practice.

The appointment is the latest in a series of senior commercial hires by the broker as it competes for retail and institutional flow in the Middle East and North Africa.