Alex Wilkinson

Alex Wilkinson's journey into the world of finance began in the bustling city of London in 1981. Starting as a trainee commodity and FX broker with Rouse Woodstock, Wilkinson was preparing for the historic opening of the London International Financial Futures Exchange (LIFFE). By 1982, he had become a fully qualified futures and options trader on LIFFE, rising to the position of head floor trader at EF Hutton. His expertise led him to manage floor operations for esteemed institutions like Bank of America, Fimat, and Dresdner Kleinwort.

At Bank of America, Wilkinson's leadership abilities shone as he assumed the role of head of Bank of America Futures International Europe (BAFI). Under his guidance, the bank established a significant European footprint, laying the groundwork for future success. His reputation as a visionary leader caught the attention of the burgeoning French broker Fimat, where Wilkinson spent the next six years, personally employing over 530 people globally and overseeing sales and trading operations in London, Milan and Hong Kong.

In 1996, Wilkinson's career trajectory reached new heights as he was recruited by Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein (DrKW) to run Global Futures and Options for the bank. Here, he spearheaded a comprehensive restructuring effort, transitioning the business into a fully electronic model and closing all open outcry activities. This strategic shift enabled DrKW to scale its operations exponentially with significantly fewer resources.

In 2001, Wilkinson took over the commodities group at DrKW, where he implemented a strategic restructuring focused on financing. By 2003-2004, DrKW emerged as the largest financier of non-ferrous metals globally, financing 65% of global LME stocks. Wilkinson's visionary leadership and strategic acumen propelled DrKW to the forefront of the commodities market, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the industry.

Recognized for his expertise in the evolving e-commerce landscape, Wilkinson was appointed as a Mainboard Director of DrKW Online Markets, where he played a pivotal role in strategic decision-making regarding e-related investments. Following the e-commerce boom, Online Markets merged with underlying business functions, and Wilkinson was entrusted with managing 17 out of 28 investments, forming the core of the Strategic Equity Portfolio. This €50M high-performance portfolio specialized in e-commerce investments and underscored Wilkinson's reputation as an astute investor and visionary leader.

Throughout his career, Wilkinson's contributions to the financial industry have been profound, with each role building upon the last to shape the future of metals trading and financial futures. His relentless pursuit of innovation, coupled with his strategic foresight and leadership acumen, has positioned him as a trailblazer in the field. As he continues to influence and shape the industry, Wilkinson's legacy as a revolutionary figure in metals trading and financial futures remains unparalleled.