Robert Mitchelson, head of rates trading, EMEA, BlackRock
As the head of one of Europe’s largest rates trading desks, BlackRock’s Robert Mitchelson has easily found himself on this year’s Rising Stars list. With 17 years of experience in rates trading, Mitchelson has applied new technologies to his trading desk at BlackRock. Graduating from the University of Portsmouth in 2000, he became a rates and FX trader at Credit Suisse Asset Management for over seven years. He joined BlackRock in 2008 as a senior rates trader, before being appointed as EMEA head for rates trading.
Chris Limentani, equity and derivatives trader, BlackRock
Chris Limentani has had an extremely busy three years changing roles and showing how he is able to adapt within this industry. Chris moved from the sell-side to join BlackRock’s dealing desk to bring experience in electronic trading. Initially trading equities and derivatives for the quant & transition part of the business, he most recently moved to the fundamental equity desk servicing fund managers with a bigger focus on and trading blocks. He brings a wealth of knowledge to BlackRock’s trading team, where he is involved in project work, MiFID II reporting requirements and algo enhancements.
Derek Flynn, former global head of equity execution, Bluecrest Capital Management
Following five years working on the sell-side, Derek Flynn joined US hedge fund BlueCrest Capital Management in 2013 in London as a senior equity trader. Flynn quickly proved his worth and in January this year was named European head of equity execution, before eventually being named global head of equity execution. Since being named on The TRADE’s Rising Stars list, Flynn has left his role at BlueCrest.
Sujay Shah, senior portfolio manager, global rates, BMO Global Asset Management
It is not often a trader holds experience not only from the buy-and sell-side, but also from the central bank. With a masters degree in finance and economics from the London School of Economics (LSE), Sujah Shah joined the Bank of England as an analyst for its FX division. He then joined Goldman Sachs as an interest rates products trade, before moving to the buy-side where he is currently a senior portfolio manager for global rates trading at BMO Global Asset Management.