Equiti Group has announced two senior appointments as it enhances its security and compliance functions, naming Patrick Pitchappa as Chief Information Security Officer and Abdullatif Manlla as Head of Compliance and MLRO for the UAE. Pitchappa brings nearly three decades of experience in cybersecurity, IT risk, and technology operations from institutions such as First Abu Dhabi Bank, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Goldman Sachs, and VISA. Manlla joins with extensive expertise in governance and AML/CFT practices, having served in key roles at ADS Securities and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Group CEO Iskandar Najjar said, “Equiti’s foundations of governance, security, and innovation have guided our growth for years. With Patrick and Abdullatif, we continue strengthening those principles as we expand responsibly across global markets.” Pitchappa emphasized, “Security is a shared responsibility. At Equiti, we stay ahead of evolving cyber risks, meet regulatory expectations, and protect client privacy at every step. Our systems must embody security by design, ensuring that trust and innovation coexist seamlessly.”
Manlla noted, “Governance and compliance are integral to Equiti’s success. They enable trust, transparency, and innovation. My focus is on maintaining frameworks that are strong, agile, and aligned with global best practices.” The company said these appointments reinforce its commitment to disciplined oversight as it operates across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, providing trading technology, payment solutions, virtual asset services, and asset management offerings.