Louis de Kock, head of trading at Global Poverty Carbon Justice, accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award from The TRADE last night at Leaders in Trading 2025.
Collecting his award, industry stalwart de Kock’s speech spoke to the importance of continual learning across one’s career, asserting in particular the importance of relationships.
De Kock was put forward by several peers across the industry for the award, particularly among the buy-side, picking up the Lifetime Achievement Award this year in recognition of his stellar career.
He began his career in South Africa on the trading floor of the former Johannesburg Stock Exchange, establishing a solid foundation as a floor trader before pivoting into derivatives trading. His aptitude for navigating complex markets propelled him into the international arena when he accepted a role in London with Flemings bank, working in global derivatives and rapidly assuming responsibilities across Europe and ultimately running the European derivatives book.
Ever entrepreneurial, de Kock then founded Horden Capital, where he built a trading platform from the ground up. He followed this with a founding role at Powe Capital, broadening his remit and deepening his experience in alternative investment strategies and partner-level trading functions. 
In 2010, de Kock joined J O Hambro Capital Management as head of global trading, a role he held for almost 14 years, overseeing and fostering a talented team of traders globally. His current position is head of trading at direct action blockchain foundation, Global Poverty Carbon Justice.
Throughout his journey, de Kock has consistently demonstrated a blend of innovation, ambition, and leadership in markets where velocity, complexity and risk converge. From the trading pits of Johannesburg to desks in London, and eventually to founding and leading new ventures, his path reflects both technical mastery and strategic vision. He has been responsible for hiring and developing high-performance teams and navigating the shifting terrain of global financial markets.
His story is one of continual evolution, from trader to entrepreneur to market-leader, with each chapter marked by achievement and true leadership.
The TRADE would like to extend its congratulations to de Kock for his long-standing commitment and continued service to the industry.