A Journey from Sports to Finance
Ben Sadgrove’s path to becoming Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Tradeview Markets was anything but conventional. His early ambitions centered around professional rugby, with dreams of representing the Australian national team, the Wallabies. However, despite his dedication and talent, his journey in the sport didn’t lead him to the highest level.
“Rugby was my passion, and I had my sights set on playing at the highest level. But sometimes, life takes you on a different path,” Sadgrove reflects.
Determined to make the most of his rugby background, Sadgrove used the sport as a gateway to explore the world, eventually landing in New York City, where he played for the New York Old Blue rugby team. This move, which initially seemed like a personal adventure, would unexpectedly shape his professional future.
“I never expected that joining a rugby club in New York would lead to such significant opportunities. Sometimes, chance encounters can change the course of your life,” Sadgrove remarks.
It was through rugby that he met Tim Furey, the future owner and CEO of Tradeview Markets, and Kirk Miller, who would later lead HR at the company. What started as friendships soon evolved into a life-changing career opportunity.
“I met Tim and Kirk at the rugby club, and we hit it off instantly. Little did I know that they would become not only my business partners but also lifelong friends,” Sadgrove recalls.
Breaking into Forex and Climbing the Ranks
Sadgrove’s introduction to Forex trading came in 2007, when Furey invited him to join Tradeview Forex, a young and growing company at the time. Prior to this, Sadgrove had been working in office supply sales, a job he humorously compares to the setting of the TV show The Office.
“Joining Tradeview Forex was a turning point for me. It was a leap of faith, but I knew I had to seize the opportunity,” he explains.
His early days at Tradeview were marked by determination and resilience. Starting as a sales associate, he worked through a stack of old leads, cold-calling potential clients to build relationships.
“Those early days were tough, but they taught me resilience and perseverance. I had to prove myself in a new industry, but it was worth it,” Sadgrove reflects.
Over time, he mastered Forex products, expanded his network, and climbed the ranks within the company. His growth within Tradeview took him through various roles, from opening individual accounts to managing introducing brokers, white labels, and clearing accounts.
“Every step of the way, I learned something new. It was a journey of growth and self-discovery,” he says.
In 2015, his hard work and leadership were rewarded when he was promoted to COO. Under his leadership, Tradeview expanded from a small team of 15 employees to a global workforce of 160.
“As COO, I have the privilege of leading a talented team and driving the company’s growth. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together,” he adds.
Rugby’s Influence on Tradeview Markets
The culture and values of rugby remain deeply ingrained in Tradeview Markets’ philosophy.
“Tradeview’s DNA has always been in rugby. As I mentioned, I met Tim playing rugby, and we use the same values that we learned playing in our company today,” Sadgrove explains.
These values include teamwork, discipline, and accountability, which drive the company’s success.
“In rugby, you learn that you’re only as strong as your team. That principle guides us at Tradeview, where we prioritize collective success over individual achievements,” he affirms.
Tradeview actively supports amateur rugby clubs worldwide, particularly women’s teams, as part of its commitment to giving back to the sport that shaped its leaders.
“We respect where we came from, and it’s our responsibility to give back to the sport that has shaped us,” Sadgrove emphasizes.
What Sets Tradeview Apart?
The financial brokerage industry is highly competitive, and Sadgrove acknowledges that many top brokers offer similar promises.
“There is very little difference between the top brokers. We all promise the same things,” he admits.
However, Tradeview differentiates itself through an unwavering commitment to customer experience.
“At Tradeview, we’re not content with just meeting industry standards. We strive to exceed expectations by offering unparalleled customer service,” Sadgrove asserts.
Beyond customer service, Tradeview boasts one of the most extensive selections of tradable products. Unlike many brokers that solely offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Tradeview provides access to MT5, cTrader, and real on-exchange US equities and futures.
Established in 2004 and regulated in multiple jurisdictions, Tradeview is a multi-asset brokerage firm catering to both retail and institutional traders. Its services cover a range of markets, including Forex, stocks, futures, and CFDs on currencies, stocks, indices, energy, and precious metals.
“Our mission is to provide unmatched online trading solutions to traders and investors worldwide,” Sadgrove declares.
The company achieves this by offering both proprietary and third-party software, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and Currenex, as well as automated trading solutions like Communitraders, Tradeview Trader Pro, and TradeGateHub.
“In everything we do, we are driven by our passion for trading and our commitment to creating the ultimate customer experience,” Sadgrove affirms.
Driving Innovation for the Future
Looking ahead, Sadgrove envisions Tradeview’s continued success through innovation and customer-focused growth.
“Our vision is simple: to maintain our loyal clientele by providing second-to-none customer care,” he emphasizes. “At Tradeview, our customers are our top priority.”
Instead of focusing heavily on marketing, Tradeview reinvests heavily in technology to enhance the trading experience.
“Instead of spending millions of dollars on marketing, we continue to reinvest in technology,” Sadgrove reveals.
Under the leadership of Carlos Ladino and Marcela Aguillon, Tradeview’s tech team has developed several proprietary solutions, including:
- Multi-Account Manager (MAM) – for streamlined portfolio management
- CommuniTraders (copy trader) – enabling clients to follow successful traders
- TradeGateHub – a free platform connecting traders with market experts
- Vulkan (Tradeview’s proprietary bridge) – ensuring seamless access to trading products
“We are dedicated to shaping the future of online trading,” Sadgrove concludes.
Redefining Leadership
Sadgrove brings a unique perspective to his role as COO, one that challenges traditional notions of financial leadership.
“I’m not the traditional COO with the so-called industry pedigree,” he acknowledges. Unlike many finance executives, Sadgrove’s expertise is built on 13 years of hands-on Forex experience rather than an Ivy League diploma or an MBA.
“I believe in the power of real-life experience over traditional credentials,” he asserts.
His leadership philosophy revolves around accountability and self-sufficiency.
“At Tradeview, everyone is responsible for their own success,” he explains. Instead of relying on base salaries and assigned leads, his team thrives on self-motivation and mutual support.
“My goal is to foster a team-like environment where everyone feels valued and driven to contribute to the company’s success,” Sadgrove affirms.
Looking ahead, his focus remains on staying true to Tradeview’s values while resisting the temptation to follow larger FX firms’ business models.
“I believe in staying true to our roots and prioritizing the total trading experience for our customers,” Sadgrove declares.
In an industry where many lose sight of customer-centricity, he remains committed to putting clients first and continuously improving Tradeview Markets’ offerings.