Optiver

Mitul

I'm Mitul and I studied Economics at Warwick University in England. I am a Market Maker and Team Leader in Single Stock Equity Options. I started working at Optiver in July 2002.

When I started, we had a six-week, classroom-based training program, where representatives from various Optiver departments taught us option theory and other relevant trading information. After that, I was assigned to a trading desk, where I received on-the-job training from senior Traders on my team. Since then, it has been an environment of continuous learning, where I have worked with many different Traders who have all provided me with different insights into trading and option theory.

I am currently the Team Leader for a group of Traders, trading various single stock options across the major European markets. My days can be varied. I spend time trading my own stocks, while also monitoring the positions of my team and managing the risks. We have a very young team, so I also spend time with the junior Traders, discussing positions, sharing trading strategies and advancing their knowledge, so that we will be a stronger team in the future.

Everyday is a new challenge, and this challenge has changed over time for me. Trading is a very dynamic environment, where we have to continually improve and evolve to stay ahead of the competition. Markets have become more sophisticated: you must always be thinking of and looking for new opportunities.

I chose Optiver because it was a young, ambitious company, where I was surrounded by other young, enthusiastic people who shared a common goal to succeed and be the best. I was on a trading desk very quickly, making my own decisions, and was rewarded for my successes. The flat structure and lack of fixed hierarchy meant I had freedom to express my views and obtain all the responsibility I was willing to take on. I have been part of Optiver’s rapid growth, and I know that there are many more exciting opportunities and challenges to come in the future.

I am not sure what I will be doing in two years’ time. The markets are always changing and I want to continue developing, learning and growing with Optiver. I think the emerging markets may be our next source of growth, and that is a challenge I look forward to taking on!