[ B U Y- S I D E C O V E R | M I C H A E L R O B E R T S ]
‘ Be your own brand’
In an ever-evolving industry, Michael Roberts, head of North America FICC trading at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, has continued to secure success in his space. Following his Trader of the Year 2025 win, he catches up with CLAUDIA PREECE to unpack his journey to the desk, the importance of embedded collaboration across the trading team, and the role luck can play when you position yourself for it.
Michael Roberts, who heads up North America FICC trading at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, was named The TRADE’ s Trader of the Year in 2025, underscoring his position as one of the trading industry ' s leading individuals.
Reflecting on his career thus far, Roberts acknowledges just how much has changed since he entered the trading game, not to mention the pervasiveness of the seemingly ever-present market volatility being seen across the world.
Refreshingly, amid the constantly evolving world of trading, Roberts makes sure to assert that a continually shifting landscape remains one of the most compelling aspects of the job.
“ For me it’ s so fascinating and rewarding that every day is different […] We must innovate and
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