This is the second FN 40 Under 40 Rising Stars of Trading and Technology, our editorial pick of the brightest up-and-coming men and women in the industry.
The European trading and technology landscape is experiencing a structural revolution, amid both a slew of new regulations that will transform trading and risk management and a broader industry-wide retrenchment that has led to a raft of job cuts. In this challenging environment there is a growing premium on young emerging talent – on people who can help shape, interpret and prepare for policy reform and the related commercial sea change.
The 40 individuals listed here include not only brokers, traders and executives hailing from the exchange sector, but also advisers and lobbyists, who are working to help the industry influence and navigate the policymaking process.
The clearing industry is also well-represented again this year, reflecting the extent to which post-trade services are now dominating the agenda.
Technologists are also in the spotlight this year, with six inhouse technologists, three technology entrepreneurs and two algo developers on the list. Their skill set is in high demand as companies prepare for huge, operational changes to satisfy new rules and senior management teams rethink the way they process and distribute their products and services.
Despite the increasing pressure under which these individuals operate, however, there is still time for leisure. The list comprises marathon-runners, a taekwondo enthusiast, an amateur theatre actor and a drummer.
— How we chose
Over the past three months, Financial News canvassed the market for its opinion and drew up a longlist of more than 100 potential rising stars. All nominees had to be under 40 on September 3, based in Europe, the Middle East or Africa and working in trading and technology. Candidates were then assessed by FN’s editorial panel on four criteria: achievements, the stature of their mentors, firepower at their disposal and their potential to reach a position of great influence. The longlist was then whittled down to the final 40 listed here.
— The profiles
Claude Amar
Chief executive, Sunrise Brokers
Age: 37
A taekwondo enthusiast, Amar is part of the army of French quants that powers Sunrise, the world’s largest exotic equity derivatives broker. Amar joined the privately held London firm in 2002 from Morgan Stanley and became a partner in 2005 and chief executive in 2009. While most rivals in interdealer-broking are cutting staff, Sunrise’s global headcount has nearly doubled to more than 150 in the past year. The firm plans to win more business from hedge funds and push into the fixed income and commodity markets via its bases in New York and Hong Kong. Amar says when he retires, he “will spend more time learning”.
