Saxo Capital Markets has appointed former vice president of Citi and Deutsche Bank, Ben Smoker, as its Australian chief executive.
The multi-asset trading and investment specialist has plans to grow a global strategy for servicing institutional clients which Saxo Asia-Pacific chief executive, Adam Reynolds, said would come from the strength of new appointments.
“Ben’s leadership and experience will no doubt resonate with clients and further strengthen the local institutional business, as well as our established private client offer,” Reynolds said.
“Our main goal in the institutional apace is to facilitate and grow existing partner relationships and enhance our position.”
Smoker brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry over a range of sectors and both the retail and institutional markets. He was previously head of business, Australia, at foreign exchange and trading firm, GAIN Capital.
With digital disruption a heavy focus for investment specialists, the employment of individuals with a specific range of knowledge across banking will benefit the Saxo knowledge pool, the firm said.
Saxo also recently appointed former executive director of global cash equities for JP Morgan, Nik Kritikos, as the local head of Saxo’s institutional business.
“The needs of institutional clients are constantly evolving and fintech disruption is impacting the financial services industry at a rapid pace,” Reynolds said.
“Saxo is well placed to support a variety of institutional market segments including both the disrupters and the disrupted in this evolving environment, including retail banks, brokers, advisers and the growing realm of local asset managers in Australia.”
