Bon Voyage Keith Hill!

Bon voyage to Keith Hill, who has decided to actually retire after 39 years in the industry and a period of what was meant to be semi-retirement but looked very much like full time work!

Keith started in fixed income sales (we’ll try and forgive him for that) at Goldman Sachs in 1986 before moving to JP Morgan where he saw the light and moved to FX sales, working in Zurich, Mexico City and New York. In 1999, seeing value in the technology boom, he joined the fledgling Currenex, but, by his own admission (and demonstrating why he was in sales and not trading), wasn’t sure of the longevity of the firm so switched to a “safer” option – Atriax!

The closure of that business saw Keith return to the UK, where his talent (and contacts no doubt) saw him spend over a decade at FXall, heading EMEA sales for the firm. Banking called again, and he shifted to Société Générale in London as global head of e-sales, before retiring after seven years.

It was then that our mutual friend John Ashworth dragged him (screaming and kicking no doubt) out of retirement for a “short-term” contract with Caplin. Six years later, Keith is making his retirement formal, which is great for him, but a shame for the industry and, perhaps, the sommeliers of the City.

“I’ve had the privilege to work with some really fabulous people over the last 39 years and feel proud to have mentored many younger members of the FX community whose careers have since gone on to far eclipse my own (he conveniently forgets the fixed income “blot” – ed). In spite of all the technology, at its heart it’s still very much a people business, and it’s the people I’ll miss the most,” says Keith. “But it’s definitely time for a change.”  

Spending time with Keith was always, interesting, fun and thought-provoking, I believe it was he who, in Chicago at a post-Forex Network lunch, started talking about wines in cricket terms (a 70 not out from the number 9 was a very good wine indeed), which caught on with our group and confused the waiters no end!

I hope we will be able to sit down again soon – travel well my friend.