Employee Spotlight: Antika Headlam, Global Head of Technology Risk, New York
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Our employee spotlight series highlights our people spanning many different roles, teams and geographies—each with a unique perspective to share. Antika recently joined us in New York as our Global Head of Technology Risk, a crucial role for our company at this point in our journey. We reached out to learn more about what her job is all about, what her experience has been like so far, plus some other fun facts (spoiler alert: one involves ice cream) we discovered about her along the way!
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What is your role at MarketAxess?
I’m the newly appointed Global Head of Technology Risk. As part of the risk function, I am responsible for building and managing the global second line of defense framework, risk processes, and capabilities aligned to technology. The role supports the business in identifying and management technology risks across the organization.
In addition, I am partnering with our risk, security, and technology leaders to provide second line assurance in order to enhance our risk, control, and compliance environments across various Information Technology / Security domains (e.g. IT Infrastructure, Agile SDLC, Change Management, Cloud Security/Infrastructure, Information/Data Management, etc.)
How did you come to MarketAxess and why did you say "yes" to joining us?
I was looking to move into FinTech for a while. Prior to joining I was impressed with how fast MarketAxess was growing and had heard great things about the firm, including the culture. When I had the opportunity to join, I jumped right in. Additionally, being in risk management, I felt this was the perfect time to join the FinTech space due to the increasing regulatory attention and challenges facing the industry.
How would you describe our culture?
I’ve only recently joined the company, but what has stood out to me so far has been how empowered management has made me feel, the support from my colleagues, and commitment across the firm to deliver best in class products to our clients.
What is your favorite part about your job?
That it is never boring. We live in a technology driven world, and with advances in technology brings evolving threats and greater regulatory scrutiny. As such, there’s always something new to learn or to keep me on my toes.
What is an interesting project you're working on?
I am working on several projects geared towards improving the culture and the mindset of how we think, manage, and monitor technology risks within the organization. Through these projects, I want the risk function to be seen as partner/collaborator with the business and not just policing function.
What makes you unique?
I was a restaurateur and had an ice cream business while still working in the corporate world. This entrepreneurial spirit allowed me to express my creativity in an innovate way, balance risk and reward with running my own business, and parachute into new situations with an open mind and optimism.
What are people often surprised to know about you?
That I trained in martial arts and in boxing for several years. I even competed in several matches and won!
What keeps you working at MarketAxess?
The opportunities that I have to make a positive impact and change. Of course, in order to make this happen, there have to be enablers. The culture and people allow for this happen.
What makes someone who works at MarketAxess successful?
The default answer can be easily hard work and dedication. But what I think is valued here is someone who has an intellectual curiosity, passionate about their job, is a team player, and can pivot with change.
What is something you wish people knew about working at MarketAxess?
That people are approachable and employees are encouraged to form strong connections with their peers through open collaboration and communication at all levels. As the company is rapidly growing, there are also many opportunities and avenues to enrich your experience and the value you bring to the organization.
Want to work with Antika? Check out our open roles here.
