Zodia Markets being an institutionally backed start-up in the relatively young cryptoasset industry was a big factor in my attraction to the company. As a law graduate, this meant a strong foundation and opportunity to learn from highly curated professionals with a strong background in traditional finance. I sought to gain a wide range of legal skills that are future facing which Zodia Markets provides in spades as it continues to scale with the asset class. 

Working for Zodia Markets is rewarding as flex-working (be it remote or on-site), ease of access to the CEO, COO and my manager when any questions come to mind, and the open-plan Central London office enables a strong sense of collaboration, communication and learning. On top of all of this, Zodia Markets enables and encourages me to live both an active and proactive lifestyle in and out of work which I appreciate.

I joined Zodia Markets after working in a large global investment bank with over 10,000 employees for over 15 years which is quite different from working in Zodia Markets, where I had met everyone in the first couple of days. I’ve been able to see all aspects of the business rather feeling like a small cog in a large organisation with multiple management levels.

One of the main attractions in joining was the opportunity to see all sides of the business while it grows, plus being able to add value and make a positive impact from day one. It’s important to get the work done but to be able to work this around family life (with 2 small children) through remote and flexible working is a big positive in working for Zodia Markets. It’s lovely working with a great bunch of people, I’m never afraid to ask any silly question.

Most of my 18 year career has been in large investment banks such as JP Morgan, UBS, HSBC IB and Standard Chartered where I have had numerous roles in technology in a multitude of asset classes such as Equities, F&O and FX. Working in such large institutions it is hard to direct change and there is bureaucratic red tape which is hard to navigate

Zodia Markets provides that bridge where it has the investment bank parentage but also the start-up culture to help things move fast and improve. Zodia Markets also had the flexible working approach where you can work remote but also have the opportunity to come into an  office environment to collaborate. 

Being a smaller firm you can walk and speak with the CEO as you would any other person in the firm which allows to have closer relationships, this can help when there are personal issues at home and team can rally around to support. 

With experience working in both large financial institutions and start-ups, I see Zodia Markets as providing the best of both. I was drawn to the agility and adaptability of a start-up combined with the stability of backing from a well-established banking group. I’m interested in the emerging frontiers of finance, in innovation and change, and being part of Zodia Markets’ growth from two co-founders to a team of more than 30 staff has been a valuable experience. There have been both challenges and the achievement of working together to find solutions. 

Equally importantly, there is increasing awareness that employers have broader responsibilities to their community and environment, which are also contributors to commercial success. Zodia Markets’ social responsibility is shown in action by the firm’s support for staff commitments beyond our work here: these might be family, volunteering with a community group, or service in the Armed Forces Reserves. I was really pleased when Zodia Markets signed the Armed Forces Covenant earlier this year. It’s a milestone achievement for any company, and especially noteworthy for a new business.