ROMA Hired

Paloma Partners Management Company, a multistrategy hedge fund, has appointed Pei Ng, a former executive from Brevan Howard Asset Management, as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Ng will succeed Ted Hagan, the current CFO, who is set to retire. At Brevan Howard, Ng held a finance role and reported to the global CFO, Duke Dayal. This hiring is part of a recent wave of CFO changes at prominent hedge funds, including Millennium Management and Point72 Asset Management. For those who don't know Paloma Partners is renowned for investing significant capital in various investment teams and supporting prominent hedge fund managers such as The D. E. Shaw Group, LMR Partners, and others.

Come join me at the ShopTalk Chicago. #missionpossiblewithshoptalk  Read the speaker announcement here: https://hubs.la/Q02M3Rgp0 #retailtech #retailinnovation #retailevents #groceryshop #grocery #RetailMarketing #Ecommerce #SupplyChain #InStore #RetailEvent #EventMarketing #CommunityEngagement #RetailInnovations

HSBC Holdings is exploring the possibility of selling its South African assets as it shifts its focus toward Asian markets. Banks from South Africa, China, and the UAE have shown interest in acquiring their South African branch and securities operations, though no agreement has been reached yet. HSBC, which has been active in South Africa since 1995, primarily engages in international markets, global banking, and commercial banking in the region. However, If the sale goes through, it would signify their exit from sub-Saharan Africa, and align more with the bank's recent strategy under CEO Georges Elhedery to simplify operations and prioritise growth in Asia, following similar divestments in France and Canada.

Vanguard, M&G Investments, and RBC BlueBay Asset Management, are sticking to their belief that Japan’s central bank will raise interest rates again soon, even though many in the market are becoming more doubtful. Vanguard has increased its bets against Japanese government bonds, expecting a rate hike by the end of the year. M&G Investment is also betting against these bonds and is optimistic about the yen strengthening. RBC BlueBay Asset Management holds a negative view on Japanese bonds, as they continue to dump Japan’s 10-year sovereign bonds anticipating rates will rise early next year. Most of the market now sees only a 34% chance of another rate hike, down from 63% earlier. This change came after weak economic data from the U.S. and signals from Japan’s central bank that they might pause rate increases if the markets are shaky. Despite recent losses, Vanguard, M&G Investments, and RBC BlueBay Asset Management are holding firm on their predictions, believing that Japan’s central bank will likely raise rates again, possibly as soon as January. If their predictions are correct, this could result in a stronger yen and higher returns on Japanese bonds.

Caxton Associates, a London-based investment firm, made around $270 million in profits in early August by making smart bets on U.S. government debt and the Japanese yen. Their success came during a time when global markets were very unstable due to worries that the U.S. central bank wasn't cutting interest rates fast enough to help a slowing economy. One of their key strategies was betting that short-term U.S. government bonds would do better than long-term ones, a move that paid off as investors began to expect rapid interest rate cuts. They also made money from a bet on the Japanese yen, which increased in value against the U.S. dollar as investors adjusted their positions. Overall, the Macro fund, which focuses on big-picture economic trends, is up 9.9% this year, while their Global fund is up 5.2%. 

Trends in CEO Leadership Hiring: A Shift in Pace Over the last several quarters, we've seen a sustained increase in demand for CEO leadership—companies are prioritizing strong leadership more than ever. However, there’s an interesting shift happening: businesses are taking more time to assess candidates before making final decisions. In fact, over the past three quarters, the time from candidate identification to placement has increased by 32%, stretching from 90 days to 119 days. This marks the longest hiring timeline we've observed in our dataset to date. This trend reflects the growing importance companies place on finding the right fit for their top leadership roles, balancing urgency with diligence. As the market for CEO talent remains competitive, it's clear that thoroughness in the selection process is becoming more critical than ever. #LeadershipTrends #CEOHiring #ExecutiveSearch #LeadershipDevelopment #TalentAcquisition #ROMAHired

Citi has lifted the bonus limits for its top UK bankers and traders, aligning with similar moves by competitors like J.P. Morgan and Barclays. Under the revised policy, key employees, known as "material risk takers," can now receive bonuses up to six times their base salary, a significant increase from the previous cap of twice their fixed pay. This change follows the UK's removal of the EU-imposed bonus cap, part of efforts to bolster London’s status as a global financial hub post-Brexit. Unlike some of its competitors, Citi will not substantially increase base salaries but will reduce its reliance on role-based allowances, which were previously used to circumvent bonus caps. The bank's decision reflects a strategic adjustment to remain competitive in the evolving financial landscape, ensuring it can attract and retain top talent. Overall, Citi believes these changes will reinforce its performance-driven compensation model while adapting to the new regulatory environment. The move highlights a broader industry trend of financial institutions reviewing their pay structures to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market.

As a leader that’s committed to protecting our environment, we are proud to stand with Tahoe Lead Removal Project removal who are working tirelessly to remove harmful lead cables from Lake Tahoe. They’ve already garnered 568 signers on their petition, and with your help, we can push that number even higher. The recent front-page story in the San Francisco Chronicle brought much-needed attention to this issue, and we’re seeing the impact in real-time. It’s clear that people across California are passionate about preserving the natural beauty and safety of Lake Tahoe. The team lead by Evan Dreyer has been engaging with all the necessary government agencies to get this project approved, and they’re making incredible progress. But public support remains crucial. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s “zero tolerance” policy for lead in drinking water is at the heart of this initiative. If you’re in the Lake Tahoe area today, consider stopping by Lakeview Commons for an event hosted by the Sierra Club to learn more and show your support. Every signature counts, and together we can help ensure that these lead cables are removed once and for all. Let’s rally around this impactful cause. Please sign the petition and spread the word. Protecting Lake Tahoe is something we can all get behind. https://lnkd.in/ew_PSKT7 #SupportLakeTahoe #EnvironmentalResponsibility #CommunitySupport #WaterSafety #LeadRemoval #ESG

Executive Search Insights from ROMA Hired: Surge in Leadership Demand: Privately held companies' leadership demand is nearly double the 2021 peak due to a 25% drop in PE involvement in M&A over the last three quarters. Rebounding Lower-Level Searches: C-level searches account for 48% of openings, but Director & Below roles have increased by 15% QoQ—potential early market opening indicator. Significant Compensation Increase: Public company OTE for new executives is up 22% YoY, marking the highest compensation change among all asset classes. Market Trends: Leadership Hiring: Stabilizing with a 3% QoQ decline in executive search volume, indicating a trend toward sustained growth. AI Sector Surge: 27% YoY increase in AI-focused search volumes, while other tech sectors saw a 10% YoY decline. S&P 500 Performance: 4.3% growth in Q2, driven by a 14.7% increase in the tech sector market value. Venture Capital & Private Equity: VC funding up 47% QoQ, and PE deal values up 12% YoY, boosting leadership hiring trends. #ExecutiveSearch #LeadershipHiring #MarketTrends #AI #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital

I am thrilled to see my friend, mentor, and University of Chicago professor, Clayton Harris III embark on a new journey, launching his consulting firm. After receiving incredible support during and after the election, he is poised to offer consulting, legal, and lobbying services to firms, businesses, and individuals. His expertise will be invaluable, as he will focus on opportunities in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, and with the General Assembly. On behalf of ROMA Hired, congratulations! We are looking forward to seeing the impact he will make in this new chapter. #Consulting #NewBeginnings #Entrepenuer #ROMAHired