Barclays has appointed Joseph Lee as head of high touch sales trading, Asia Pacific, as part of the firm’s efforts to bolster and diversify its APAC equities business.
Lee will be based out of Hong Kong in the role, where he is expected to support the firm’s expansion into high-touch execution and lead high-touch cash trading efforts across the region.
In his new position, he will functionally report to Peter Ramsey, global head of cash equities, and to Christian Truer, head of equities distribution, Asia Pacific regionally.
Speaking about Lee’s appointment, Truer said: “[Lee’s] deep market expertise will help strengthen our execution offering and drive greater connectivity with clients as we continue to scale our platform and grow our presence in the region.”
Lee brings 30 years of equities trading and sales experience to his new role, and most recently served as head of block liquidity for HSBC in Hong Kong.
Before this, he has also held senior positions at Credit Suisse, working as head of Korea equities and APAC high touch execution.
Previously in his career, he has also worked at firms including Deutsche Bank, CLSA, Goldman Sachs and Nomura/Lehman Brothers.
Speaking on Lee’s appointment, Ramsey said: “Leveraging on our global strengths and capabilities, his industry expertise and client-first mindset will help us deliver the high-touch execution and trusted partnership with our clients in APAC.”
Lee’s new role follows further APAC equities hires for Barclays in recent months, as the firm aims to drive growth in the region. In January 2025, the firm named Paul Johnson as head of equities, Asia Pacific based in Hong Kong, to oversee e-trading, equity derivatives, and equity-linked financing, as well as having oversight for the firm’s ‘Prime’ offering.