Trading job market reflects changing times

As margins are squeezed, traders need to look at expanding their skillsets and geographical horizons

Trading operations require a number of elements to be successful, not all of them the most glamorous. Increasingly, efficient middle and back office systems, technology platforms and strong legal teams are as crucial as the front office to firms' success. But the frontline traders and originators are still the most visible aspect of a trading team. And an examination of the trends in their recruitment environment offers considerable insight into the evolution of the oil trading market as a whole. With that in mind, Petroleum Economist spoke to Jakob Bloch, CEO of UK-based headhunter Commodity, which, as well as being an oil trading search heavyweight, also surveys the wider talent market in