#United States #Chicago #R.J. O'Brien #John Robbins #Compliance Officer

R.J. O'Brien Appoints Industry Veteran John Robbins

R.J. O'Brien & Associates, based in Chicago, has made a significant leadership change by appointing John Robbins as the new Global Chief Compliance Officer. This announcement reflects the brokerage firm's commitment to enhancing its compliance infrastructure as it continues to grow on a global scale. With an impressive 25-year career in financial services compliance, Robbins brings a wealth of experience to this pivotal role.

About the Appointment

In his position, Robbins will report directly to Melissa Zierk, Managing Director and General Counsel at R.J. O'Brien. The structure of Robbins' team includes prominent compliance officers from various regions, signaling the company's strategic approach towards harmonizing compliance across its international operations. This move comes at a time when R.J. O'Brien is expanding its reach across different products, asset classes, and regulatory environments.

Zierk stated, "Our compliance program in the U.S. has matured remarkably, and with our recent expansions, it's crucial that we align our global compliance efforts. John’s profound global compliance experience makes him the ideal candidate to lead this synchronization. His track record, especially in managing disparate regulatory initiatives, aligns perfectly with our objectives."

Robbins' Vision and Experience

John Robbins expressed his enthusiasm for joining a company like R.J. O'Brien, which holds a strong reputation for character and leadership within the financial sector. He emphasized a commitment to providing exceptional service to clients while leveraging his extensive regulatory knowledge and compliance technologies to implement a robust and resilient compliance program.

Robbins has been influential in various leadership roles across well-respected organizations such as Intercontinental Exchange, AIG, and Deutsche Bank, among others. His vast experience encompasses working with registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, and global asset managers, showcasing his versatility and expertise in the financial landscape. Most recently, he served as the Chief Compliance Officer for Apex Fintech Solutions, overseeing a comprehensive compliance program that addressed trading, clearing, and custody activities.

A Historical Overview of R.J. O'Brien

Established in 1914, R.J. O'Brien & Associates is recognized as the oldest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States. The company serves a diverse client base of over 80,000, including institutional, commercial, and individual clients. Additionally, RJO operates a network of approximately 300 introducing brokers, emphasizing its expansive market influence. The organization is known for its advanced electronic trading capabilities, ensuring 24-hour trade execution across all major global futures exchanges. Over the past several years, R.J. O'Brien’s excellence has been recognized through multiple awards, including the FOW International Award for Non-Bank FCM of the Year for five consecutive years.

As R.J. O'Brien continues to integrate its compliance programs on a global scale, the appointment of John Robbins is poised to elevate their ability to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving financial landscape, ensuring they maintain their reputation for integrity and commitment to client service.