As the Chief Growth Officer at LMAX Group, the second-largest crypto exchange in the world, Barbara Pozdorovkina is not only driving remarkable growth but also breaking down barriers for women in a rapidly evolving industry dominated by men.
During our conversation, Barbara shared her professional journey to becoming Chief Growth Officer, also noting the tactics she’s used to drive the company’s impressive growth. From the challenges of working in a male-dominated field to shedding light on the essential qualities needed for leadership in tech and finance, Barbara takes us behind the scenes of her career’s big turning points, sharing the tough spots she hit and how she bounced back stronger each time.
Check out our full interview with Barbara Pozdorovkina below.
Could you share with us your journey to becoming the Chief Growth Officer at LMAX Group?
Barbara Pozdorovkina: It’s been quite an adventure – my background has always been in traditional finance. My career began with Deloitte as a manager advising leading global companies on strategy and operations, then advising a private equity firm, and becoming a partner there.
I joined LMAX Group in 2011, when we were focused purely on the foreign exchange market, and we took the decision to reposition the business to service institutional customers only. We were a lean team, which required us all to roll up our sleeves and play a critical role in reshaping the business.
In 2018, we launched LMAX Digital, our crypto currency exchange, as part of our expansion strategy to offer institutional clients the ability to trade digital assets on the same robust technology infrastructure they were familiar with through trading FX with us.
I was appointed Chief Growth Officer of the Group in 2022. In that role, I am responsible for driving our expansion and the strategic initiatives of LMAX Group – which covers all aspects of our business.
Throughout my career here, I have evolved my skill set according to the needs of the business, and I am always learning from the functional experts we have across LMAX Group.
How do you navigate the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry like digital assets?
Barbara Pozdorovkina: I’ve been incredibly lucky with my experience at LMAX Group, which has had a strong culture of meritocracy from the outset. We operate in a very entrepreneurial environment, and the pressure on the management team is to add value daily as we pursue our vision.
Cultivating a culture of meritocracy is critical and I believe solves challenges posed by diversity – encouraging employees at all levels to express and share their opinions, ensuring that those ideas are heard and where appropriate, acted upon. Recognizing people for their talents and performance results in a more diverse business overall. In my role as a leader, part of my responsibility is to continue to cultivate the culture of meritocracy that I benefited from myself.
We also prioritize creating an inclusive culture within the team and beyond, where everyone’s voice matters and is valued. By advocating for inclusion and taking time to mentor both women and men, we’re striving to make the industry more welcoming and accessible for all.
It’s about fostering an environment where talent is recognized regardless of gender or background. This culture has resulted in 30% of our executive committee being made up of women, and we’ve increased our female headcount across the business globally by almost 50% in the past two years.
How do you ensure the inclusion and advancement of women in your team and company?
Barbara Pozdorovkina: I’m passionate about ensuring the inclusion and advancement of women at LMAX Group. My approach is multifaceted and shaped by my own experiences. Hindsight makes you realize what past influences and behaviors have impacted you the most.
I have relied heavily on mentors throughout both my educational and professional years, so I understand the profound impact mentorship can have. I have consciously built time into my professional responsibilities to mentor women of all ages and career levels through regular one-on-one or group meetings. I also present at various Women in Fintech Network (our employee resource group) events, sharing my journey and encouraging others to seek and offer mentorship. Through programs like LMAX Group’s Coding Camp, LMAX Group’s Spear Program, and Tech She Can, a charity we work with that is committed to changing the ratio of women in technology, I have helped implement practices that provide learning and early career opportunities and mentorship, building a foundation for a more inclusive capital markets future.
How do you balance the rapid changes in the digital assets market with the need for steady and strategic growth at LMAX Group? What strategies have you implemented at LMAX Group that contributed to its growth?
Barbara Pozdorovkina: Balancing the rapid innovation and evolution of the digital assets market with steady growth requires agility, strategic planning, and strong leadership. We stay agile by continuously monitoring market trends and opportunities, consequently adapting our approach and strategies.
We have a clear long-term vision, a road map to get there, and strategic goals that guide our decisions. The key to successfully executing this is taking a considered approach, always looking ahead to anticipate what’s coming next, and scaling accordingly. We have continued to invest through market cycles and in our people and technology. This has seen us grow our headcount by 50% in the last few years, helping us to stay innovative while ensuring our growth is sustainable and aligned with our core values.
We are a client-first organization. We listen to what our clients and customers need and deliver the products, advancements, processes, or product iterations that they require quickly. This, alongside our industry-leading technology, has kept us competitive within the market.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter and succeed in technology and finance?
Barbara Pozdorovkina: Follow the three C’s: collected, courageous, and compassionate. To be collected is to allow oneself the headspace to think through decisions, both professional and personal. It enables us to have a better grasp of our feelings, allowing for more headspace for continuous improvement.
It goes without saying that you need to be courageous as a woman entering this new and exciting industry, and finance and technology, for that matter. You must have the courage and conviction to take the road less traveled, to take assessed risks and new opportunities when they emerge, and to encourage others to do the same. It’s important, as you progress to leadership, to guide your team and bring them along on the journey throughout the successes as well as during the challenging and uncertain times.
Finally, you must be compassionate to others and yourself. Embrace compassion as your secret weapon—it will set you apart. By genuinely connecting with others and showing empathy, you build stronger, more resilient teams. Remember, your ability to care isn’t a weakness; it’s the foundation for problem-solving and making decisions. Also, show the same compassion toward yourself that you would offer to someone else.
All of the above are particularly important in technology and finance, but also in new and fast-growing industries, like digital assets.
What resources or mentors have supported your professional development and growth in this industry?
Barbara Pozdorovkina: I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors who have provided guidance and support throughout my career – and during my younger, formative years. I was encouraged to get out of my comfort zone, driven to take chances and risks, all the while staying confident and backing myself.
I’ve taken advantage of a variety of networking opportunities, professional development workshops, my university and London Business School alumni network as well as platforms to share and learn from the experience of others. Continuous learning through industry conferences, online courses, and reading has been crucial to staying updated and growing in my career.
I also recently joined Chief and I am excited to be in a network and receive leadership insights that the organization provides for women in senior positions. I spend a lot of my time managing my team and mentoring other people, and I have realized there aren’t many resources or communities for this stage in my career. I joined Chief as part of my interest to continue to grow and develop. Continuous learning is especially important to me!
In what ways do you think the digital assets industry will change in the next decade, and how is LMAX Group preparing for these changes?
Barbara Pozdorovkina: There are a number of factors at play here, both at the political and sector level. Capital markets are on the brink of some major changes over the next decade. We think blockchain technology will disrupt traditional financial systems for the better – and that crypto has been the proof of concept for that innovation.
We’re also anticipating the development of more informed and supportive regulatory frameworks globally that will support this transformation in capital markets, encouraging more mainstream banks and other institutions to get involved in digital assets. Without a doubt, there are some exciting advancements in blockchain technology that will improve the efficiency of capital markets as we know them today while streamlining operations and reducing costs.
At LMAX Group, we’re staying ahead of the curve. We’re investing in innovative technologies, ensuring we’re always compliant with regulations, and expanding our product offering and global distribution. We embrace adaptability and are forward-thinking in our approach to lead the way during these transformative times.
In your view, what qualities are essential for a leadership role in the tech and financial sectors?
Barbara Pozdorovkina: To lead your organization’s growth in the tech and financial sectors, you must be ambitious, fearless of learning new things, confident in taking risks, and capable of guiding your team on their own growth journey. Effective leaders embrace challenges and set an example by pushing their boundaries and fostering the right culture.
Additionally, focus on the value you bring rather than emphasising differences. By creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and celebrated, leaders can unify their teams around common goals across market cycles. This approach not only enhances team cohesion but also drives sustained organizational success through the combined efforts, specialties, and strengths of all members.
What are your primary goals for LMAX Group over the next five years?
Barbara Pozdorovkina: We’re on a very ambitious growth trajectory. We at LMAX Group are one of the few financial services organizations which are bilingual and excel in both blockchain and traditional finance. We are leveraging that unique capability by building the leading future cross-asset marketplace.
Over the past few years, especially during the crypto winter, we focused on investing in our strategic, geographical, and operational foundations. Our primary goals for the coming years include expanding our market presence in key regions, enhancing our proprietary technology offering, expanding distribution, and diversifying our product suite to meet evolving market demands.
Another crucial goal is to maintain regulatory compliance and seek licenses in other geographies, ensuring that we remain agile and competitive in the fast-paced capital markets landscape. By focusing on these areas, we aim to solidify our position as a market leader and drive sustainable growth for our stakeholders. Building fairer markets for all participants is the vision that guides us.
Lastly, is there a specific mantra, quote, or affirmation that you hold close to your heart
Barbara Pozdorovkina: Be comfortable with the uncomfortable!
Learn more on the LMAX Group here.
Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.
Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com
