Belhadj leads BNP Paribas’ charge into US flow business

“We had identified the US as a major area of growth for us, which triggered me to come to the US,” says Belhadj who was previously deputy global head of equity derivatives at BNP Paribas’ headquarters in Paris. In particular, he is focusing on growing the BNP’s flow business, an area where the bank has not been very active. The bank has been working to improve its trade processing capabilities, a necessary precursor to handling the high volume trading activity it expects to garner, should it be successful in attracting more hedge fund clients. Belhadj is also aiming to develop the bank’s structured products business in the Americas, a particular area of strength for it in Europe.

Prior to his role as deputy global head of equity derivatives in Paris, Belhadj was in charge of European equity derivatives trading and helped steer the bank, then Paribas, through its merger with BNP. He was previously head of derivatives in Tokyo; the bank’s trading volumes increased eightfold during Belhadj’s three-year stint in Japan. His previous roles include helping develop the banks energy option desk (in both Paris and New York), starting a precious metals book (in Paris) and working as a research advisor to the head of trading in Paris.

BNP Paribas reorganised its equity business back in June following its partnership with French broker, Exane. Yann Gérardin, who was head of equity derivatives, was reassigned global head of equities. Chantal Mazzacurati, previously global head of equities, was appointed senior executive vice-president reporting to Philippe Blavier, head of corporate and investment banking. In his new role, Belhadj will report to David Brunner, chief executive of BNP Paribas Securities and Yann Gérardin, global head of equities.