Upon joining MarketAxess one of my very first tasks was to help prepare the company for the many challenges triggered by Brexit . My colleagues in London and New York had been working very hard on understanding the most relevant and impactful decisions required to preserve business continuity in a post-Brexit world . We have since made our decision to open a European office in Amsterdam and have applied for a license to operate both our MarketAxess and Trax activities in the Netherlands .
Technology can certainly bring cohesion and efficiency to financial markets at a time of heightened geopolitical risks , including the search for talent and skills to create new centres of expertise .
A personal journey ; joining a successful FinTech company driven by our clients , market structure changes and product innovation
Of course I knew MarketAxess as a former buy-side client , but more
importantly I witnessed the growth of the platform from its creation in 2000 to its current standing in the industry . I remember seeing the demo whilst at Natixis , back in the days when your best friend was the IT person in charge of the direct phone lines to the dealers ! Needless to say , it was an introduction to technology which shaped my vision of the future . When MarketAxess made the Trax acquisition in 2013 it also focused the need for a more data centric approach to trading , including best execution analysis .
I come into work every day feeling privileged to lead the European and Asian teams and support my colleagues globally to make MarketAxess even more successful . I am surrounded by incredibly talented people . We are at the heart of the bond market evolution - it is very energising to connect to our clients , both buy-side traders or sell-side dealers , and work with them on new products and innovative solutions .
It has been an exhilarating journey , crossing the MiFID II implementation deadline , growing the business across all our core products from US High Grade to US High Yield , Emerging
Markets and Eurobonds , and planning for the impact of Brexit as well as preparing upcoming regulatory challenges . Looking back at January 3rd 2018 , we had to establish various reporting services such as our ARM and APA products . The build was enormous and the pressure was relentless but it was very satisfying to see how well we managed some of the many challenges we faced , for example the publication of APA data in real time . Our global technology teams did a fantastic job and are continuing to do so as we are only at the beginning of a new and enhanced regulatory regime .
We are a small company of less than 500 people . Some have been with the firm since nearly the beginning . We are innovative , fast paced and agile . Our success relies on our abilities to grow in-house talent and attract external talent . We train the leaders and managers of tomorrow through various leadership programs , including our graduate programs in New York and London which provides us with incredibly talented and driven young individuals who will lead our future growth . MarketAxess was born in New York , it is in a way my American Dream , and I am proud to contribute to its continuing success for many years to come .
18 www . buysideintel . com Summer 2018