Bloomberg Tradebook has continued its revenue growth in the wake of its Asian reorganisation this summer, and has put some of that momentum back into local good causes through its first ever Hong Kong Charity Day.
“We have made progress in our business throughout the year, with forex trading in Asia up approximately 20% this year and Asia flow trading into the US up about 50%,” said Bloomberg Tradebook’s Asia head, Tom Kingsley.
He was presiding over an event in Hong Kong on 30 October that tied into other similar projects on the same day at Bloomberg Tradebook’s offices in London and New York, which raised a total of US$1.2 million
Held on their trading floor in Hong Kong, the team sought to raise funds for the charities ‘Habitat for Humanity’ and ‘Right to Play’, by donating all of the brokerage’s fees for one day to this good cause.
The former co-head of the business, Kingsley became sole head of Bloomberg Tradebook in Asia this year. He now focuses on product, execution consulting and risk management.
The firm re-organised its operations in Asia this summer to create a unit that operates with a broader regional emphasis, and with greater autonomy from the US headquarters.
He and his team, dressed in a myriad of baroque and gothic costumes on the trading floor, hosted a number of Hong Kong celebrities. They added a touch of glamour to the trading desks, as they manned the phones and sought trades from Bloomberg Tradebook clients, sprinkling their stardust over the world of equity sales trading.
All celebs delivered deals, and they included Rosemary Vandenbroucke, supermodel, Cara Mcilroy, also a supermodel, (‘very bubbly and enthusiastic’ said Kingsley) and ultimate fighter Vuyisile “the Cheetah” Colossa (‘big, really, really big,’ said Kingsley).
When asked which one of the supermodels and other glitterati he would like to have on the payroll as a full time sales trader, Kinglsey replied. “I’m not going to answer that. ……No. …….Not even off the record”.