Having worked together in the financial markets sector for more than 20 years, three friends: Mark Henry, Richard Evans and Antony Sidney-Woollett decided it was time to break away and go it on their own. Five years on and they’ve formed an independent and highly successful organisation, RAM FX, which offers a range of services in the financial markets to clients that include corporates, funds, family offices and high net-worth individuals.
Mark managed to take time out of his busy schedule and tell us what ignites his spark and gets him out of bed every morning (which, incidentally, is 5.30am!)
The moment that ignited the spark in me to start a business was…
When we looked at the financial markets, we felt there was still room for a firm that offered traditional values, who got to know their clients so they weren’t just a number and offered a personal touch in a bespoke way. We decided to start our own company that offered all of that. RAM FX is now a fully FCA regulated, independent FX House with the facility to work with people across all areas: from individually tailored hedging structures to one off transactions. We think we add real value and people appreciate that.
The thing that’s most surprised me since I made that move is…
Working for a large institution, you don’t realise how comfortable things can be, you’re given a regular salary, pension and holidays. You lose that security when you set up on your own. When you talk to people who have been through the same thing, you create a new network and it’s pleasantly surprising how receptive, empathetic and helpful they can be.
The toughest challenge I’ve faced is…
I think it’s the same for any small business and that’s to spread the word that you actually exist. We don’t have a huge marketing and sales team, we try to leverage off our reputation and the vast majority of our business comes from word of mouth.
My biggest success has been…
To make it through the first 3 years and to get things up and running in the first place. When you set up you have high ambitions and cross your fingers, but it takes a lot of hard work to take a business from zero to something tangible. The key was getting our own certification with the FCA, which really gave us the platform from which to move things forward. Now we’re continuing to develop the business.
I’m very good at…
As a company, we think we’re good at working with people and understanding what they’re trying to achieve from an FX perspective. We don’t just assume, we like to spend time with our clients and really get to know them. We’re on our clients’ side and always have their best interest at heart.
The type of person I look to recruit into my organisation is…
Ideally the people we like to work with are like-minded individuals who have previously worked for large institutions, wanting a change and to spend less time tied to the office; being part of the group in a way that suits them. As a small firm we can’t compete in terms of salaries etc; so what we do is offer a percentage share of the business they bring in, put our regulatory arm around them and allow them the opportunity to integrate their business with ours. It’s a very flexible working environment that gives people more of a balanced life.
The part of my day I most look forward to is…
I’ve always been a morning person by default and for the last 20 odd years my alarm has gone off at 5.30am and I’m at work at 7am. That’s when your working day starts in the world of Foreign Exchange. Your week starts at 7pm on a Sunday night when Wellington opens and closes on a Friday night at around 10pm when New York closes, so between those points we’re technically working.
If I could give my 18-year old self one piece of advice it would be…
To enjoy what you’re doing and don’t worry too much about the future. The world has changed and things are a lot more flexible now. In my day you had to do GCSEs, A Levels, University – the traditional route. For me it’s not all about academic achievement anymore but more about the individual. The traditional route still has its merits, but I’d say enjoy yourself, if you work hard generally you’ll end up in the right place.
Outside of work I can be found…
BBQ’ing something with my two sons helping out!
My philosophy on life is…
Over the last few years it’s changed. Before having a wife and children you primarily just think about yourself, but things change when you have a family. When I’m not working I spend as much time as I can with them – that’s what’s really important.
What I like about working with Ignition Law…
I was introduced to David by an old University friend. We met and there was a definite rapport, he understood what we were trying to achieve and was on our side from Day 1. Years later David was picking my brains about setting up Ignition Law. He’s always willing to listen, help and remains a friendly face to meet and have a good chat with.
