Citi appoints Huntsman as APAC financing head
Citi announced the appointment of Ed Huntsman as head of Financing in the Markets division for Japan, Asia North & Australia and Asia South. In this role, Huntsman will move from London to Hong Kong.
Huntsman joined Citi in January 2007 and was most recently the global head of Financing for Spread Products. He will retain these responsibilities going forward. During this time, he significantly grew new and existing business lines across Citi’s financing products and launched multiple new financing solutions for clients.
“Citi has a longstanding presence and extensive client relationships across Asia Pacific, many of whom are instrumental in fueling growth across Asia and the rest of the world. Our clients value the strategic and comprehensive suite of Citi’s financing solutions and the unique strength of our global network. I am confident that Ed will continue to deliver the best for our clients, leveraging the full power of Citi to effectively address our clients’ strategic objectives,” said Sue Lee, head of Markets, Asia South, in an emailed statement.
“As liquidity becomes more important to our Asian based clients for both local and international needs, we need to be able to deliver a set of products across the full liquidity spectrum. With Ed’s expertise and track record, he is well placed to develop a best-in class financing platform that will support our Markets clients’ liquidity and collateral needs,” said Paul Smith, head of Markets for Japan, Asia North & Australia.
SFT: Brightwell leaves Macquarie, joins Marex as VP of Securities Finance Operations
Marex has appointed Steve Brightwell as vice president of securities finance operations, reports Securities Finance Times. He joins from Macquarie Bank, where he worked for more than 14 years, most recently as director of operations and EMEA head of equity operations. Previously, he worked for CQS and UBS.
Broadridge appoints LSEG’s Runacres to lead APAC operations
Broadridge Financial Solutions announced the appointment of David Runacres as president of Asia-Pacific (APAC), effective immediately. Based in Tokyo, Runacres will spearhead Broadridge’s APAC regional operations. He will also assume the role of senior country officer for Japan, overseeing all activities in the market. He joins Broadridge from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), where he spent 12 years as head of Japan.
Mike Sleightholme, president of Broadridge International, said in a statement: “[Runacres’] deep understanding of the market, coupled with his ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and experience in leading cross-business initiatives, makes him uniquely positioned to lead Broadridge’s growth initiatives in the region to help our clients operate, innovate, and grow.”
Runacres said in a statement: “By leveraging Broadridge’s innovative solutions, deep industry expertise and local presence, I aim to strengthen our market position and deliver unparalleled value to our clients. Together, we will build on Broadridge’s strong foundation in APAC as a trusted tech partner to drive the next phase of success helping our clients innovate by modernizing, simplifying, and optimizing their business.”
At LSEG, Runacres successfully led various high-impact projects, including the integration of Refinitiv in Japan and the expansion of LSEG’s footprint across the region. Prior to his time at LSEG, he held key sales roles for SunGard Systems and Thomson Financial. He has been based in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo over that period.
Goldman’s Bollinger named Julius Baer’s new CEO
Julius Baer announced that Stefan Bollinger will be the bank’s new chief executive officer starting “no later than” February 2025. Nic Dreckmann, acting CEO of Julius Baer, will continue to lead the Group until handover and is expected to remain after as a board member.
Bollinger is currently co-head of Private Wealth Management for Europe, Middle East and Africa (PWM EMEA) at Goldman Sachs in London. He is a member of the European Management Committee and of the Global Wealth Operating Group. Under his stewardship over the past five years, the PWM EMEA business more than doubled assets under management.
Bollinger has three decades of experience in financial markets, performing various roles across trading, structuring, sales, treasury, and wealth management. During his career, he was based in Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, New York, and Zurich. Stefan Bollinger joined Goldman Sachs in 2004 and has been Partner for 14 years. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he worked at J.P. Morgan in London. He started his career at Zürcher Kantonalbank.
Romeo Lacher, Julius Baer chair, said in a statement: “[Bollinger’s] experience combines a comprehensive understanding of risk, products, and of how to deliver value to global wealth management clients through building scalable client-centric businesses. He brings a unique combination of leadership, client, and people skills with strong technical knowhow and functional expertise to Julius Baer. Under Stefan’s leadership, we will future-proof Julius Baer as the leading pure-play private bank, and create the best conditions for sustainable growth.”
Stefan Bollinger said: “I look forward to working closely with the Board, the management team, and all the people of Julius Baer to capitalize on its unique strengths and to shape the next chapter of client centricity, excellence in risk management, and sustainable growth.”
Achtner hired in newly created role as HSBC’s head of generative AI
Edward Achtner announced on Linked In that he has been appointed HSBC Group head of Generative Artificial Intelligence Capabilities.
“Enabled by the world’s most advanced and innovative artificial intelligence capabilities, the development and scaling of responsible and ethical products that are trusted, delightful, and create significant value. At the same time, augmenting the wisdom and experience of our people, empowering them to better support our customers achieve their ambitions,” he wrote.
He has been at HSBC for over six years in positions working with AI and digital architecture and previously served at Bank of America as head of the Digital Banking unit, according to his profile.
“Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize banking, the delivery of financial products and services, and transform customer experience. Grounded by our purpose and values, we are confident that we can successfully rise to the challenge,” he wrote.
GC: State Street hires RBC’s Blackie for IT role
State Street has added Charlotte Blackie from RBC Investor Services to its network management team, reports Global Custodian. She joins State Street as head of network controls globally and will head up a team covering regulatory and third-party risk and oversight.
She had previously been with RBC Investor Services for 23 years, most recently as head of network risk management and control. At State Street she will team up again with Dan Hickey, global head of network management, who worked with Blackie at RBC Investor Services for two years.
SIFMA appoints Byron for technology role
The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) announced Stephen Byron has been appointed managing director and head of Technology, Operations and Business Continuity. He will oversee SIFMA’s technology and operations activities including market operations and resiliency, business continuity planning and cyber security.
Based in New York, Byron will report directly to Joseph Seidel, SIFMA COO, and will serve as a member of SIFMA’s management committee. In addition he will manage relationships with relevant regulators, industry utilities and technology providers.
Byron joins SIFMA from Goldman Sachs where he served as vice president and operations senior leader for Equities Post Trade Transformation and Strategy. During his 24 years with Goldman Sachs, Byron has held senior leadership positions overseeing both global and regional cross functional teams, supporting the Global Markets division. Most recently, he was responsible for the firms’ Equities post trade transformation, focused on building front to back scale, increasing resiliency & recoverability. He also led the firms’ successful transition to T+1 settlement.
SIFMA president and CEO Kenneth Bentsen, said in a statement “Steve’s extensive financial market operations experience will be a tremendous benefit to this critical role and the work SIFMA does on behalf of our members and the markets, as well as complement our tech, ops and BCP team.”
Joseph Seidel, chief operating officer of SIFMA, said in a statement: “Steve brings significant industry, operations, and technology experience to SIFMA. His understanding of SIFMA priorities and the technological innovation within our member firms will help effect change by creating efficiencies and reducing risk across the markets.”