A native of Helsinki, Finland, Ekholm comes to Saxo from MSCI Barra, a division of Morgan Stanley, where he led its index and risk content businesses. During the merger of MSCI and Barra, Ekholm oversaw the integration of the companies' respective sales, marketing and content business units, steering them on a path of high double-digit growth.

Prior to his stint at MSCI Barra, Ekholm held a number of senior executive marketing and general management positions with Procter & Gamble, Pepsi, and International Distillers and Vintners.

At Saxo Bank, Ekholm will join the bank's Senior Executive Management group, leading its marketing, product development, communications, quantitative analysis, and quality and process divisions in a newly created executive function. He will report directly to the bank's co-CEO's and co-founders Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen.

In announcing the appointment of Mr. Ekholm, Kim Fournais and Lars Christensen issued the following joint statement: "Rabbe Ekholm brings to bear a wealth of international business and management experience to Saxo Bank, which will stand us in good stead as our global business continues to gain momentum. Combining these functions under the supervision of a single experienced leader is a key step in enabling future growth."