A Different Perspective with Iain Baillie, Founder and Director of Asset Match

What this episode covers

This week Nick talks to Iain BaillieIain began his career at Strauss Turnbull and Co and has been involved in UK and European Capital Markets for over 35 years as a trader of both equities and corporate bonds, culminating in heading European credit trading as a Managing Director of Salomon Brothers. Iain was also a founding director of LBDP, a successful agency broker in European credit. From 2003 to 2007 Iain was CEO of MarketAxess Europe, the leading platform for electronic execution in the credit market. He was responsible for all facets of the company's European business and during his tenure MarketAxess saw a ten-fold increase in activity across the platform. Before founding Asset Match, Iain was Head of Fixed Income at Christopher Street Capital.Nick and Iain discuss Iain's journey from an unexpected start in finance to building a platform that brings liquidity to shares in UK private companies. After developing an early fascination with the stock pages of the Financial Times, he began his career at Strauss Turnbull in 1972. He later joined Salomon Brothers, working in both London and New York, with John Meriwether & Michael Lewis, during the firm’s heyday in fixed income trading. Following this, he founded and sold a credit market boutique before returning to Salomon, and eventually moved into electronic trading by leading the European arm of MarketAxess.In 2012, Iain co-founded Asset Match in response to the growing number of private UK companies with multiple shareholders but no exit opportunities. The platform uses scheduled auctions—rather than continuous trading—to match buyers and sellers fairly, with early clients including BrewDog and Tottenham Hotspur. Iain also discusses the growing momentum behind the PISCES initiative, a Treasury and FCA-led framework set to legitimise and expand private share trading. With more companies staying private for longer and institutional interest rising, he sees significant growth ahead for the sector.Iain's book choices where:Liar's Poker by Michael Lewishttps://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/liar-s-poker-book-michael-lewis-9780340839966Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshallhttps://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/why-nations-fail-book-daron-acemoglu-9781846684302Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemogluhttps://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/why-nations-fail-book-daron-acemoglu-9781846684302Iain music choice was:Liquidator by Harry J. All Starshttps://open.spotify.com/track/4iW7PQeJWV57XeN7miyJpSThis content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

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