Carl James, global head of fixed income trading at Pictet Asset Management is leaving the firm in April to take his first non-buy-side role in more than 28 years.
James started his career in the City in 1986, working for Ackroyd and Smithers (UBS) on the sell-side before moving to the buy-side in 1994 as head of international equity trading of its asset management arm. After five years in Asia, he returned to the UK in 2000, broadening his remit to become global head of trading at Henderson Global Investors. In 2007 he joined Fortis Investment Management which was acquired by BNP Paribas Asset Management the following year, spring-boarding James into a new role establishing one of the first outsourced dealing desks in the industry.
Looking for a fresh challenge, he left BNP Paribas AM in 2014 to set up a consultancy firm delivering strategic and structural advice to asset managers and their service providers and guiding firms through the increasing complexities brought on by advancing technology and regulatory change. He joined Pictet in his current role during October 2015.
Throughout his career, James has actively engaged with his buy- and sell-side peers, industry bodies and regulators. A keen promoter of innovation, with a strong voice, the industry veteran is a frequently sought-after member of committees including the Investment Association where he chaired the Fixed Income Committee for four years. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and has been a go-to person for regulators looking for input when challenged by changes within the industry and was awarded a ‘Buy-Side Lifetime Achievement Award’ for transformational industry leadership.
His data driven approach changed the dynamic between the buy and the sell-side. In 2021, Pictet was named buy-side fixed income trading desk of the year in Markets Media’s European Markets Choice Awards, as a result of these achievements
Sources have indicated the next stage of his career may be in the US.
©Markets Media Europe, 2023
TOP OF PAGE
