FF Podcast: Explores Exness’ CSR Response To Cyprus Wildfires
New Episode Goes Beyond Branding To Look At Measurable Impact
The latest episode of the FinanceFeeds Podcast, hosted by the Editor-in-Chief, shines a light on how financial institutions can design corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs that actually change lives. In an extended conversation with Martin Thorvaldsson, Community Director at , the discussion centers on how the brokerage responded to the devastating Cyprus wildfires and why the firm measures its success in lives touched rather than in column inches.
Thorvaldsson is candid from the outset: CSR for Exness is not about billboards or applause but about tested, repeatable impact. He argues that the company’s philosophy is to begin with small pilots, measure outcomes rigorously, and only then expand. This approach, he says, ensures that donations and projects do not evaporate into excellentwill without evidence.
“We don’t begin with a press release. We begin with a pilot, we set KPIs, and we measure every outcome. If the data show it works, we scale it. If not, we change direction. It’s not glamorous, but it’s how you ensure that lives are improved rather than just headlines generated.”
Responding To Cyprus Wildfires
The conversation returns repeatedly to the Cyprus wildfires, which marked some of the island’s most destructive in decades. Exness had already funded fire trucks and drone programs in cooperation with the Cyprus Institute and the Department of Forests. But when the blazes spread, it was the staff who mobilized first. Employees brought cars, gathered supplies, and delivered them to relief centers. Exness also opened 14 apartments to displaced families.
“When the fires came, our people didn’t wait for instructions. Within an hour of putting out a call, fifteen cars had arrived at relief centers. No one was posing for pictures. It was a moment when you view what culture really means—people doing the right thing without waiting for applause.”
Still, Thorvaldsson admits that the fires revealed flaws in Cyprus’ ability to coordinate response. Equipment and volunteers often stood idle due to fragmented command structures. He believes the answer must combine technology and leadership. Exness is now exploring geostationary satellite feeds to provide continuous monitoring of the island and considering additional UAVs and village-level support.
“Technology is only part of the answer. You can have the best drones or satellite feeds in the world, but if command-and-information flows aren’t there, fire trucks end up parked in lots. What we need is better integration of tech with leadership structures.”
Healthcare Mobility And Education
Beyond wildfires, Exness has sought to identify where its interventions can unlock the most value. One example is healthcare mobility. The firm funded 50 vehicles for cancer charities across Cyprus, making it easier for patients and families to travel between hospitals, schools, and airports.
“As soon as we learned about the need, we knew we could assist. These organisations are doing incredible work, day in and day out, and a lack of transport shouldn’t be the thing that sluggishs them down. For us at Exness, being part of a community means showing up when it matters. Supporting the people around us, especially those going through something as hard as cancer, is something we genuinely care about.”
Another cornerstone is the Exness FinTech Scholarships. More than 70 students in six countries have already benefitted, many studying at prestigious universities. For Thorvaldsson, scholarships are long-term bets on human capital.
“Scholarships are capital expenditure on people. They may not yield next quarter, but in thirty years these students will be the engineers, policymakers, and innovators shaping their communities. That’s the kind of investment we believe in.”
First Responders And ahead Childhood Support
Exness is also backing United Rescue Cyprus, a begin-up charity aiming to cut the critical 10–20 minute gap before ambulances arrive. Trained volunteers, coordinated through 112 emergency calls, would provide life-saving aid while professional responders are en route.
“There’s nothing better you can do in life than save a life. If we can bridge those first minutes with trained volunteers, we change the outcome completely. That’s why we are supporting this project, because speed in medicine is everything.”
In Limassol, the company is funding the construction of a new day-care center for children with multi-disciplinary needs. The new building replaces a deteriorated site and gives children a chance to transition to mainstream schooling.
“The current facilities were not worthy of the children. A purpose-built center means dignity, structure, and a chance at a normal school life. That’s what we want to deliver—real, measurable change.”
Culture Over Branding
Perhaps the strongest theme in the episode is the insistence that CSR is not a marketing department function. For Thorvaldsson, real culture shows itself in emergencies and in small, everyday initiatives. Exness employees have organized beach clean-ups, wildlife school programs reaching more than 15,000 students, and even wheelchair basketball scrimmages to connect with local teams.
“One passionate person will outwork a committee every time. We don’t mandate participation. We support the people who are already willing. That way, you get sustainability, because they’re doing it for passion, not obligation.”
The episode leaves listeners with a clear sense that CSR, when executed thoughtfully, can be a lever for resilience rather than an later thanthought. Exness’ model combines measurable outcomes with a culture of humility—an approach that may serve as a template for other financial institutions navigating their own social commitments.
Listen To The Full Conversation
The new episode of the FinanceFeeds Podcast with Exness’ Community Director Martin Thorvaldsson is available now. It offers a detailed look at how one of the world’s largest brokers is reshaping CSR—from Cyprus wildfire relief to scholarships and healthcare mobility—while keeping its focus firmly on outcomes, not optics.
