Fidessa group

The overview

Fidessa is a financial technology company. Its products and services are used by financial organisations such as investment banks, asset managers and brokers to trade on the global financial markets.

The company specialises in market data analysis and trading platforms, with a vast number of transactions being made via its products every day. Fidessa’s product suites connect its clients together, providing them with information and technology to help them buy and sell.

John Wybrow, recruitment manager at Fidessa, explains: ‘We provide trading systems for Financial Institutions to trade stocks and shares around the world. Off the back of our trading systems we provide global market data. We also offer what’s known as ‘global connectivity’: we can connect clients to global exchanges (foe example the NASDAQ or the London Stock Exchange.’

Key products that candidates should read up on include Fragulator, the Fidessa Fragmentation Index (FFI) and Tradalyzer.

Key clients

Clients include:

• Nomura Asset Management
• Morgan Stanley
• Goldman Sachs
• Sunrise Securities Corp
• BNP Paribas Fin'AMS
• Danske Bank
• Samsung Securities
• Société Générale.

Locations

The firm is currently headquartered in London, having previously run most of its operations from Woking. The London site is now client-facing, whereas staff based in Woking focus on technical development. However, in order to reach its international clients the company also has offices in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain, Paris and Belfast.

Company history and development

The company was formerly known as ‘RoyalBlue Group plc’. In 2007 it changed its name, calling itself after one of its key products that had become better known than the name of the company.

2007 also saw the company buy LatentZero, a buy-side trading provider (ie a provider that deals with individuals or organisations who provide private research and recommendations to institutional investors).

Fidessa opened offices in Bahrain and Singapore in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

In a recent article in the Financial Times, Fidessa CEO Chris Aspinwall commented that the company would be looking to develop further in ‘derivatives trading technology for banks and brokers’ in the future.

Rankings and awards

• Currently ranked 3 in techMARK’s Top 50 UK software companies.
• Currently named as one of 10 finalists in Mid-Cap Business section, National Business Awards 2011.
• Best sell-side trading system, Financial News Awards for Excellence in Technology and Trading, 2010.
• Most Innovative Data Intelligence Product, Financial Sector Technology Awards, 2011.
• Ranked 31 (by revenue) in FinTech Top 100, 2010.

Salary and benefits

Starting salaries at Fidessa are benchmarked three times each year against industry standards. These should amount to somewhere in the region of around £25,000 per year (plus or minus £2,000). ‘We align ourselves to the technology sector, not the finance sector’, says Wayne Coomey, HR director at Fidessa.

Salaries vary depending upon the role and experience. Graduates’ salaries are reviewed every six months, and amended according to performance. Candidates should therefore be aware that their starting salaries and any subsequent pay rises will be individual to them; they will not climb up a fixed pay-scale at the same rate as their peers.

Perks

• 23 days’ holiday (potentially up to 25 in later years)
• Discretionary bonuses from 5% to 15% of salary
• Private medical cover for staff and their families
• Stakeholder pension
• Sabbaticals of up to a year after three years of service
• Recruitment bonus of between £1,500 and £3,000 (awarded to employees who have recommended a particular candidate for a role who is subsequently hired. The bonus is dependent upon the level of the role)
• Sponsorship for relevant qualifications
• Childcare vouchers
• Annual flu vaccinations
• Free continental breakfast before 8.30 am; free fruit, bread; subsidised café (London); Friday ‘treats’.

Culture and values

Fidessa lists five corporate values:

• Innovation
• Service
• Commitment and dedication
• Excellence
• Teamwork and collaboration.

Company offices

The company’s focus on innovation, and the high-profile nature of its clients, are reflected in the internal design of its London headquarters. The fit-out is modern and minimal (think white walls and glass partitions), with eccentric sofas, striking modern art and discrete splashes of colour adding a funky twist.

There is also an on-site café, which serves teas, coffees, and a range of food items throughout the day (including the free breakfast for early starters).

The London office focuses on client-facing work while Woking is the base for technical elements.

Media image

Fidessa has taken steps to change its media image in recent years, working closely with the agency Aspectus PR, with the goal of being seen as more than just a vendor. It has launched its own YouTube channel, FidessaFrag, on which such issues as high-frequency trading, or HFT, are discussed. The company has also increased its presence on social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, strengthened the name of the Fidessa Fragmentation Index (FFI) in the marketplace, and now invites journalists into its offices for regular open meetings on topics concerning the industry.