[ B U Y - S I D E C O V E R | P A U L B A T T A M S ]
strategies going forward ,” Battams adds . “ It ’ s a differentiator for us , and it is a core part of any trader ’ s skillset today in terms of understanding data across the platform .”
Relationships with the sell-side are also key . Battams says that partnerships with brokers have become even more critical as markets have become increasingly more fragmented and complex . The events of 2020 and increased market volatility , which is yet to fully normalise , has placed even greater emphasis on strong relationships with the sell-side , but also with electronic platforms .
“ The sell-side will always be important to the buyside , but the platforms are becoming more entwined as we think about connectivity to the market ,” Battams says . “ We try to mitigate dependency . We don ’ t want to be too dependent on a single venue or counterparty . It ’ s important that we remain agile and are able to adapt and be flexible in any situation .”
“ The sell-side will always be important to the buy-side , but the platforms are becoming more entwined as we think about connectivity to the market .”
Leading by example Battams has been with BlackRock for 21 years , including a decade with Barclays Global Investors which the global asset manager acquired in 2009 . Fresh out of university with a degree in engineering and business management , Battams secured a job as a clerk on the trading floor at the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange ( LIFFE ). The role would spark his interest in markets and cement plans to pursue a career in trading . “ As a futures and options trading clerk I was blown away by how exciting and vibrant it was - running around the trading floor in a yellow jacket doing the jobs for the traders in the pit ,” Battams says . “ Not long after , the funny hand signals and open outcry nature of trading shifted very quickly to electronic . I was astonished at how rapidly the trading floor essentially disappeared . In those days , the market would sometimes trade at different prices in different spots of the open outcry pit . It was nowhere near as efficient and connected as it is today .” At Barclays Global Investors , Battams worked in operations doing equity confirmation and settlement before securing a role on the trading desk executing equities . Gradually , the products he traded expanded
Issue 68 // thetradenews . com // 23