Tell us something about your family, academic and professional background.
I’m married with two wonderful kids. Our family is a fantastic mix of cultures. My wife, Emanuela, is Italian. I was born in Poland but raised in England and Canada and though our kids are being raised in Poland, they spend a couple of months each summer in Canada, attend a British school in Warsaw and speak Italian (and definitely favour Italian food) at home! Watching the Olympics this past summer was a fantastic experience… we had no shortage of athletes to cheer on!
My academic and professional background are also an interesting mix. I completed my first degree in Canada before moving back to the UK to write my doctorate in English literature! How does that get me into the world of trading? That’s a long story but having been very involved with the Oxford University Humanities Computing Unit, I found myself getting more and more involved in the world of IT during the growth of the dotcom bubble in the late 90s.
From there to the highly technical and computer dependent world of trading was not a daunting leap.
- What are your views about global economic environment? ( especially with events like Brexit taking place)
These are challenging times for world economies. Brexit is just one of many signs that changes are underway. With significant elections coming up in the US, France and Germany, I think we’re going to see major challenges to the status-quo. This obviously throws up opportunities in the markets. I’m not sure I necessarily like where some of these changes are leading to politically. While I think the EU has significant issues around accountability and consultation with its member states, I wouldn’t like to see if fall apart entirely. All in all, it’s been an institution that’s overseen a period of unprecedented peace and growth throughout Europe and for countries like Poland, it’s been an aspirational goal to become a member and almost a dream come true to have become one of its most important members. Brexit will hopefully stimulate some much needed debate about the purposes and goals of the EU and, if all goes well, a more relevant and representative institution will emerge from that debate.
- Please tell us something about your journey with OSTC. Also if you could throw some light on OSTC’s vision in coming years.
I’ve been with OSTC for more than 11 years now. It’s been an incredible experience to work with the founding partners whose vision has brought us from a small but ambitious start-up in South London, to being one of the most significant market participants employing hundreds of traders around the world.
We don’t aim to stand still though – as our Chairman Jonny Aucamp likes to remind all of us across the business: “If you stand still, you die”. The whole industry in which we are operating has changed immeasurably in the last decade. We are dynamic as much as we are driven and disciplined. As a result, recognising that the interdependency between the liquidity which we bring to the exchanges and the trading opportunities that the exchanges bring to our traders is closely stitched together, we’ve found our bond with the exchanges growing ever closer. This gives our traders greater opportunities and delivers the quality liquidity that the exchanges want.
- What are OSTC’s plans for India as the market place for business and especially your thoughts on education institutions in India.
Our Indian office has been developing very strongly. We have a great team in place in a fantastic location. We’re currently growing both the trading team and back office roles to ensure that the office is well-staffed for the growth we have planned for it.
- Your views on your tie-up with SP Jain, has it helped OSTC? Any suggestions or feedback?
I’d really like to see our relationship with SP Jain develop. It’s a fantastic institution with values and a mindset that is very close to OSTC’s. Increasingly, the exchanges are understanding how important education in the practical aspects of trading is for ensuring that graduates enter the market place with a good working knowledge of the capital markets. We pioneered that relationship at SP Jain in coordination with Eurex. I think it’s time we engaged this again.
- What would you like to say to someone who wants to take up “Trading” as a career option?
Trading is a fantastic opportunity to really develop your passion for the markets. It’s a very hard job though and we always warn keen Graduates of the challenges they are going to face. However, if someone really wants to be close to the markets and has a passion for them, then they simply won’t be satisfied if they haven’t given themselves the opportunity to engage in the markets in way that is offered by OSTC. I can’t promise that everyone who tries will succeed. That wouldn’t be realistic. But I can promise that those who have real drive, passion and commitment for the markets will get a chance to explore it to the fullest!
- We know running is your passion. Any plans to run Mumbai Marathon next year?
Not in 2017. I’m running in New York in November and Tokyo in February. But Mumbai 2018 is definitely on the cards! You going to join me Sanket?
