and are often part of discussions
with Portfolio Managers or Analysts
when they are considering new
opportunities for their portfolio.
When we are accessing the markets,
we add value with our technology
and quantitative skills, in how
we systematically trade orders, in
consistently measuring the value
added to client portfolios and
reviewing our decisions based on this
output, and by having a talented and
diverse global trading team.
Emma at the Asia Buy-side Forum (ABF) in Hong Kong, Spring 2015
The brokers have historically played
an important role in helping the buy
side with trading intelligence in the
very diverse Asian markets. Is the
increased level of algo trading with
diminishing profits for counterparties
in USA and Europe impacting
relationships in Asia? we apply elsewhere about achieving
the best outcome for clients. We have
a global approach to trading and how
to achieve the best outcomes for our
clients. That is one of the benefits
of our co-head structure. Our views
around the use of systematic and
algorithmic trading, what makes a
superior execution provider and our
expectation from our broker partners
are the same regardless of whether it
is our trading desk at AB in London,
Sydney, New York or Hong Kong.
We don’t see the challenges of trading
in Asia any differently than we do
with US or European trading. There
are obviously no uniform regulations
or market structures in Asia but that’s
no reason, in our view, for us not to
apply in APAC the same philosophies K&KGC have seen that only 10% of
our +900 buy-side trader contacts
are women and a large proportion of
these are based in Asia. Do you feel
that some Asian workplaces have
cracked the secret to building more
Summer 2019
www.buysideintel.com
diverse work places and what can
investment firms and the industry do
globally to achieve a better gender
balance?
Firstly, one cannot generalise it applies
to all of Asia but there are some
certain places in Asia, like in Hong
Kong, where we do tend to find more
females in the industry. Some of this
we think is cultural, with some cultures
offering good support networks
through family or affordable childcare.
Since becoming Co-heads of Equity
Trading we have had some good
success with hiring diverse candidates
and have made active choices to
support diversity. Some have been
successful and others have not.
Despite setbacks we will continue to
seek diversity for our team as we see
this as contributing to better client
outcomes.
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