Global online trading provider Deriv has appointed Rotimi Akinyele as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), strengthening its executive leadership as the company accelerates its transition toward AI-powered engineering and automated business operations.
Akinyele, who joined Deriv in July 2024 as Vice President of Security, has progressively taken on broader responsibilities across the organization, overseeing security, data infrastructure, compliance automation, and technology initiatives.
In his new position, Akinyele will lead Deriv's engineering division, focusing on integrating artificial intelligence into software development, strengthening internal technology infrastructure, and expanding automation across multiple departments.
A central part of his responsibilities will involve developing AI-driven systems capable of improving software engineering workflows while maintaining security standards and operational controls.
Deriv has established an ambitious target of automating 75% of its manual workflows by the end of 2026, reflecting its broader strategy to improve efficiency through artificial intelligence.
Before joining Deriv, Akinyele served as Director within Dubai Holding's Group Information Security Department, where he oversaw cybersecurity across several business sectors. He previously held a senior information security and business continuity position at a government authority in Ras Al Khaimah.
Deriv CEO Rakshit Choudhary expressed confidence in Akinyele's leadership and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong security controls as the company expands its use of autonomous systems.
The appointment reflects a growing trend among online trading platforms to combine AI development with cybersecurity expertise, particularly as financial institutions increasingly adopt automated systems for technology management, operational processes, and financial services.
By promoting Akinyele internally, Deriv aims to strengthen its engineering capabilities while continuing its transformation into an AI-focused trading technology business.
