LME Asia Metals Seminar 2022

Laura M Cha is Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd and a member of the Financial Leaders Forum in Hong Kong.

Mrs Cha is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Ant Group Co Ltd, a Senior International Advisor of Foundation Assets Management Sweden AB and a member of Sotheby’s International Advisory Board. In addition, she is also Vice Chairman of the International Advisory Council of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and a Director of the World Federation of Exchanges.

Mrs Cha became the first, and to-date, the only person outside Mainland China to join the Central Government of the People’s Republic of China at the vice ministerial rank when she was appointed as Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission in January 2001. She served in that position until 2004. Mrs Cha worked for the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong from 1991 to 2000, becoming its Deputy Chairman in 1998.

Mrs Cha was a member of Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong from 2004 to 2022. She was also Chairman of The Financial Services Development Council of Hong Kong from January 2013 to July 2018, and Chairman of the University Grants Committee from 2007 to 2011.

She was awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star in 2001, a Gold Bauhinia Star in 2009 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2017 by the Hong Kong Government for her public service.

Laura M Cha is Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd and a member of the Financial Leaders Forum in Hong Kong.

Mrs Cha is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Ant Group Co Ltd, a Senior International Advisor of Foundation Assets Management Sweden AB and a member of Sotheby’s International Advisory Board. In addition, she is also Vice Chairman of the International Advisory Council of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and a Director of the World Federation of Exchanges.

Mrs Cha became the first, and to-date, the only person outside Mainland China to join the Central Government of the People’s Republic of China at the vice ministerial rank when she was appointed as Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission in January 2001. She served in that position until 2004. Mrs Cha worked for the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong from 1991 to 2000, becoming its Deputy Chairman in 1998.

Mrs Cha was a member of Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong from 2004 to 2022. She was also Chairman of The Financial Services Development Council of Hong Kong from January 2013 to July 2018, and Chairman of the University Grants Committee from 2007 to 2011.

She was awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star in 2001, a Gold Bauhinia Star in 2009 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2017 by the Hong Kong Government for her public service.

Nicolas Aguzin joined HKEX as Chief Executive Officer on 24 May 2021 from J.P. Morgan, where he was most recently Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan’s International Private Bank. Mr Aguzin has been based in Hong Kong since 2012.
 
From 2013 to 2020, Mr Aguzin was CEO, J.P. Morgan, Asia Pacific where he was responsible for all the firm’s business across 17 markets. Mr Aguzin presided over some of the firm’s major expansion efforts during the period, including establishing itself in China as one of the few international financial institutions with a full range of services and capabilities; including a fully-owned locally incorporated commercial bank, a majority-owned securities company, an asset management company and a futures and options company. Concurrent with his Asia CEO role, Mr Aguzin also ran J.P. Morgan’s Investment Banking division in Asia. During his tenure the bank rose to become one of the leading investment banks in the Asia Pacific region.
 
Mr Aguzin joined J.P. Morgan in 1990 in Buenos Aires as a financial analyst. Between 1990 and 2005, he held a variety of roles in New York and Buenos Aires, and in 2005 he was appointed as CEO, Latin America. In 2008 and 2009, in addition to his responsibilities as CEO, Latin America and Head of Latin America Investment Banking, he served as Senior Country Officer for Brazil.
 
Mr Aguzin holds a bachelor degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the US and is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

Nicolas Aguzin joined HKEX as Chief Executive Officer on 24 May 2021 from J.P. Morgan, where he was most recently Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan’s International Private Bank. Mr Aguzin has been based in Hong Kong since 2012.
 
From 2013 to 2020, Mr Aguzin was CEO, J.P. Morgan, Asia Pacific where he was responsible for all the firm’s business across 17 markets. Mr Aguzin presided over some of the firm’s major expansion efforts during the period, including establishing itself in China as one of the few international financial institutions with a full range of services and capabilities; including a fully-owned locally incorporated commercial bank, a majority-owned securities company, an asset management company and a futures and options company. Concurrent with his Asia CEO role, Mr Aguzin also ran J.P. Morgan’s Investment Banking division in Asia. During his tenure the bank rose to become one of the leading investment banks in the Asia Pacific region.
 
Mr Aguzin joined J.P. Morgan in 1990 in Buenos Aires as a financial analyst. Between 1990 and 2005, he held a variety of roles in New York and Buenos Aires, and in 2005 he was appointed as CEO, Latin America. In 2008 and 2009, in addition to his responsibilities as CEO, Latin America and Head of Latin America Investment Banking, he served as Senior Country Officer for Brazil.
 
Mr Aguzin holds a bachelor degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the US and is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

Liu Yang is the Head of China Sales at the London Metal Exchange (LME), responsible for further developing the Chinese market together with the HKEX team in Mainland China.

Having worked in brokerage and investment banks in the commodity sector for over 20 years, working closely with industrial background clients in Asia Pacific region, Ms Liu offers well-rounded knowledge and expertise to help her clients to maximise potential in financing, hedging and trading.

Prior to joining the LME, Ms Liu worked as a Director of Standard Chartered Bank and Senior Account executive for Category 1 LME members such as Natixis and Sucden Financials.

Ms Liu has a Master’s degree in Management & Finance from the University of Bath.

Liu Yang is the Head of China Sales at the London Metal Exchange (LME), responsible for further developing the Chinese market together with the HKEX team in Mainland China.

Having worked in brokerage and investment banks in the commodity sector for over 20 years, working closely with industrial background clients in Asia Pacific region, Ms Liu offers well-rounded knowledge and expertise to help her clients to maximise potential in financing, hedging and trading.

Prior to joining the LME, Ms Liu worked as a Director of Standard Chartered Bank and Senior Account executive for Category 1 LME members such as Natixis and Sucden Financials.

Ms Liu has a Master’s degree in Management & Finance from the University of Bath.

Marcus Garvey is the head of Commodities Strategy at Macquarie, having previously led the Metals & Bulk Commodities Strategy team. Mr Garvey is responsible for analysing cross-commodity macro themes and trading dynamics, whilst also leading coverage of base metals demand and precious metals. Since starting in commodities research at Credit Suisse, he has gained extensive experience across base and precious metals as well as bulk commodities, having been a principal analyst for each of the sectors at different points in his career. Mr Garvey holds an MPhil in Modern Chinese Studies from the University of Oxford and a BA in Economics from the University of Durham.

Marcus Garvey is the head of Commodities Strategy at Macquarie, having previously led the Metals & Bulk Commodities Strategy team. Mr Garvey is responsible for analysing cross-commodity macro themes and trading dynamics, whilst also leading coverage of base metals demand and precious metals. Since starting in commodities research at Credit Suisse, he has gained extensive experience across base and precious metals as well as bulk commodities, having been a principal analyst for each of the sectors at different points in his career. Mr Garvey holds an MPhil in Modern Chinese Studies from the University of Oxford and a BA in Economics from the University of Durham.

Duncan Hobbs brings almost 30 years of experience to his London-based role as director of market research for all non-ferrous metals and related materials traded by Concord Resources Ltd. Previously he managed a team of four senior staff responsible for non-ferrous metals and bulk commodities market research at Noble Group, based in Singapore.

Underlying these positions with physical traders, Mr Hobbs’s previous experience includes commodities market research and business development roles in financial services with Macquarie Bank; mining and metal production with Nyrstar; engineering services with Hatch; and independent market research with CRU, where he was a member of the steel team. He began his career in dry bulk shipping market research with Drewry in London.

Mr Hobbs is also presently serving as a member of the LME’s Lead & Zinc Committee.

Duncan Hobbs brings almost 30 years of experience to his London-based role as director of market research for all non-ferrous metals and related materials traded by Concord Resources Ltd. Previously he managed a team of four senior staff responsible for non-ferrous metals and bulk commodities market research at Noble Group, based in Singapore.

Underlying these positions with physical traders, Mr Hobbs’s previous experience includes commodities market research and business development roles in financial services with Macquarie Bank; mining and metal production with Nyrstar; engineering services with Hatch; and independent market research with CRU, where he was a member of the steel team. He began his career in dry bulk shipping market research with Drewry in London.

Mr Hobbs is also presently serving as a member of the LME’s Lead & Zinc Committee.

Andy Home has been writing about the metal markets and other commodity sectors since 1987. He started at Metals Week, progressing to Knight-Ridder Financial and then to Bridge over the course of the 1990s. In 2002 he co-founded Metals Insider, which was acquired by Thomson Reuters in 2008. Since then he has been a regular Reuters columnist, writing across the industrial metals spectrum. 

Mr Home is the author of “Siberian Dreams”, published in 2007, a book about the Russian mining city of Norilsk. The journey also featured on BBC Radio 4 and was the subject of a lecture at the Royal Geographical Society in London. 

Andy Home has been writing about the metal markets and other commodity sectors since 1987. He started at Metals Week, progressing to Knight-Ridder Financial and then to Bridge over the course of the 1990s. In 2002 he co-founded Metals Insider, which was acquired by Thomson Reuters in 2008. Since then he has been a regular Reuters columnist, writing across the industrial metals spectrum. 

Mr Home is the author of “Siberian Dreams”, published in 2007, a book about the Russian mining city of Norilsk. The journey also featured on BBC Radio 4 and was the subject of a lecture at the Royal Geographical Society in London. 

Wang Yanchen is the managing director of SMM UK office, which was established in May 2021. Currently he focuses on the base metals market research and SMM overseas business development.

Dr Wang is a well-known analyst in the global commodity industry. His areas of expertise include base metals market, coal and power industry, carbon emission market. In recent years, he has extended his research into the battery metals markets. He has visited more than 100 base metals assets around the world. Dr Wang has more than 16 years commodity market research experience. He also often attends technical and market conferences and gives presentations as a key-note speaker.

Before joining SMM, Dr Wang was the principal analyst at CRU and the head of Chinese aluminium market research. He had worked at CRU for 15 years.

Dr Wang has a PhD in Engineering from Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Wang Yanchen is the managing director of SMM UK office, which was established in May 2021. Currently he focuses on the base metals market research and SMM overseas business development.

Dr Wang is a well-known analyst in the global commodity industry. His areas of expertise include base metals market, coal and power industry, carbon emission market. In recent years, he has extended his research into the battery metals markets. He has visited more than 100 base metals assets around the world. Dr Wang has more than 16 years commodity market research experience. He also often attends technical and market conferences and gives presentations as a key-note speaker.

Before joining SMM, Dr Wang was the principal analyst at CRU and the head of Chinese aluminium market research. He had worked at CRU for 15 years.

Dr Wang has a PhD in Engineering from Chinese Academy of Sciences.

John Ho is the Global Head of Legal, Financial Markets for Standard Chartered Bank (“SCB”), overseeing and providing legal advisory, transactional and documentation support for Financial Markets (FM) business globally for Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), its branches and affiliates. Mr Ho is also the co-chair of (1) the ISDA South East Asia Legal and Regulatory Committee and (2) the ISDA Asia Pacific ESG Working group.

Mr Ho plays an active role in implementing changes within SCB to conform to applicable OTC regulatory reforms impacting FM business. He has been involved in fostering closer working relationship and rapport with industry groups and regulators on key global and regional regulatory reform changes, including Interbank Offered Rate (IBOR) reforms, MIFID II/MIFIR, Dodd Frank, EMIR, CRDIV, FATCA, CCPs and Margin Reforms for Uncleared Derivatives.

In addition, Mr Ho has supported digitisation in SCB and adoption of new or innovative technology initiatives such as blockchain, distributed ledger technology and smart contracts. He is an active participant in the industry’s Fintech events and has shared insights on the legal and regulatory framework relating to the development of Fintech, Stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Mr Ho is the co-chair of Financial Services SIG, Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA). He is a mentor for the UK FCA Sustainability TechSprint, FCA Digital Sandbox, R3 and LongHash, both global incubator networks which provide a full range of support for start-ups working on blockchain or distributed ledger related projects.

Prior to joining SCB, Mr Ho was the Managing Director Principal in the legal department of Bear Stearns (Japan), Ltd (“Bear Stearns”) where he supported the Asia franchise (including Tokyo, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Korea, India and South-east Asia) from January 2003 to August 2008 covering various structured products and derivatives including equity derivatives, credit derivatives, fixed income and commodities.

Prior to joining Bear Stearns, Mr Ho worked as Asia equity counsel for Lehman Brothers in Tokyo with experience dealing in convertibles, options, warrants, delta one products and other types of equity derivatives transactions, equity finance and equity capital markets.

Mr Ho is qualified as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore since 1995 and he received his law degree from the National University of Singapore.

John Ho is the Global Head of Legal, Financial Markets for Standard Chartered Bank (“SCB”), overseeing and providing legal advisory, transactional and documentation support for Financial Markets (FM) business globally for Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), its branches and affiliates. Mr Ho is also the co-chair of (1) the ISDA South East Asia Legal and Regulatory Committee and (2) the ISDA Asia Pacific ESG Working group.

Mr Ho plays an active role in implementing changes within SCB to conform to applicable OTC regulatory reforms impacting FM business. He has been involved in fostering closer working relationship and rapport with industry groups and regulators on key global and regional regulatory reform changes, including Interbank Offered Rate (IBOR) reforms, MIFID II/MIFIR, Dodd Frank, EMIR, CRDIV, FATCA, CCPs and Margin Reforms for Uncleared Derivatives.

In addition, Mr Ho has supported digitisation in SCB and adoption of new or innovative technology initiatives such as blockchain, distributed ledger technology and smart contracts. He is an active participant in the industry’s Fintech events and has shared insights on the legal and regulatory framework relating to the development of Fintech, Stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Mr Ho is the co-chair of Financial Services SIG, Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA). He is a mentor for the UK FCA Sustainability TechSprint, FCA Digital Sandbox, R3 and LongHash, both global incubator networks which provide a full range of support for start-ups working on blockchain or distributed ledger related projects.

Prior to joining SCB, Mr Ho was the Managing Director Principal in the legal department of Bear Stearns (Japan), Ltd (“Bear Stearns”) where he supported the Asia franchise (including Tokyo, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Korea, India and South-east Asia) from January 2003 to August 2008 covering various structured products and derivatives including equity derivatives, credit derivatives, fixed income and commodities.

Prior to joining Bear Stearns, Mr Ho worked as Asia equity counsel for Lehman Brothers in Tokyo with experience dealing in convertibles, options, warrants, delta one products and other types of equity derivatives transactions, equity finance and equity capital markets.

Mr Ho is qualified as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore since 1995 and he received his law degree from the National University of Singapore.

Monique Lempers loves to connect different worlds to make an impact in the field of sustainability. She’s inspired by working with positive, energetic people who are motivated by more than financial gain.

In her role as Impact Innovation Director at Fairphone, Ms Lempers oversees the team responsible for ensuring Fairphones Thought Leadership on driving impact towards a fairer industry is held high, and embedded strongly in the company.

Ms Lempers’s sustainability experience spans more than 18 years. She has played a crucial role in scaling Fairphone through her role in the Management Team and former role of Commercial Director. Before joining Fairphone, in The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) Ms Lempers was leading large pre-competitive transformation programs in the Electronics, Mining and Textile supply chains with key industry players and NGOs, such as Apple, Philips, Levis, Tata Steel, GoodElectronics and Friends of the Earth. These programs focused on building sustainable workforces by improving employee representation and dialogue with management, higher environmental performance in the supply chain and minimizing negative impact of mining. Prior to that, Ms Lempers worked as a Senior Advisor in Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing at PwC and researcher/project manager in the NGO human rights field. 

Monique Lempers loves to connect different worlds to make an impact in the field of sustainability. She’s inspired by working with positive, energetic people who are motivated by more than financial gain.

In her role as Impact Innovation Director at Fairphone, Ms Lempers oversees the team responsible for ensuring Fairphones Thought Leadership on driving impact towards a fairer industry is held high, and embedded strongly in the company.

Ms Lempers’s sustainability experience spans more than 18 years. She has played a crucial role in scaling Fairphone through her role in the Management Team and former role of Commercial Director. Before joining Fairphone, in The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) Ms Lempers was leading large pre-competitive transformation programs in the Electronics, Mining and Textile supply chains with key industry players and NGOs, such as Apple, Philips, Levis, Tata Steel, GoodElectronics and Friends of the Earth. These programs focused on building sustainable workforces by improving employee representation and dialogue with management, higher environmental performance in the supply chain and minimizing negative impact of mining. Prior to that, Ms Lempers worked as a Senior Advisor in Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing at PwC and researcher/project manager in the NGO human rights field. 

Shehan Mathew is responsible for Business Development in APAC for Circulor, based in Perth, Western Australia. His primary focus is building out the traceability ecosystem focusing on upstream miners and refiners in the region. He has also worked with end-to-end participants across the EV battery value chain implementing Circulor’s traceability and CO₂ tracking solution.

Mr Mathew previously worked at BHP and EY on commercial, business improvement and integration initiatives, most notably enabling the first traceable Nickel from BHP’s refinery to OEM.

Shehan Mathew is responsible for Business Development in APAC for Circulor, based in Perth, Western Australia. His primary focus is building out the traceability ecosystem focusing on upstream miners and refiners in the region. He has also worked with end-to-end participants across the EV battery value chain implementing Circulor’s traceability and CO₂ tracking solution.

Mr Mathew previously worked at BHP and EY on commercial, business improvement and integration initiatives, most notably enabling the first traceable Nickel from BHP’s refinery to OEM.

Tiger Shi started his career with China’s State Reserve Bureau in 1996, where he was involved in the strategic reserve management of ferrous and non-ferrous metals for the nation. In 2003, Mr Shi joined Sempra Metals Far East Limited. In 2008, as the China Chief Representative of Newedge Financial Inc., Mr Shi founded CITIC Newedge Futures Co., Ltd. Before establishing BANDS, Mr Shi held several senior roles at a number of international financial institutions, including as managing director and head of commodities futures for Jefferies Hong Kong Limited in Asia between 2012 to 2015 and head of metals for Newedge in Asia between 2008 to 2012.

Mr Shi’s career has witnessed the phenomenal growth of Chinese economy and its influence to the global commodities market. Mr Shi is widely recognized as a leading figure on promoting globalization of Chinese commodities companies, asset management companies, Chinese metals market and Renminbi internationalization on commodities trading and futures market.

In 2020, Mr Shi was appointed as the member of the User Committee of the LME where he can voice the interests of metal trading community particularly from an Asian perspective.

Mr Shi obtained a Bachelor degree in Metallurgical Engineering from University of Science and Technology Beijing in 1996 and Executive Master of Business Administration from China Europe International Business School in 2019.

Tiger Shi started his career with China’s State Reserve Bureau in 1996, where he was involved in the strategic reserve management of ferrous and non-ferrous metals for the nation. In 2003, Mr Shi joined Sempra Metals Far East Limited. In 2008, as the China Chief Representative of Newedge Financial Inc., Mr Shi founded CITIC Newedge Futures Co., Ltd. Before establishing BANDS, Mr Shi held several senior roles at a number of international financial institutions, including as managing director and head of commodities futures for Jefferies Hong Kong Limited in Asia between 2012 to 2015 and head of metals for Newedge in Asia between 2008 to 2012.

Mr Shi’s career has witnessed the phenomenal growth of Chinese economy and its influence to the global commodities market. Mr Shi is widely recognized as a leading figure on promoting globalization of Chinese commodities companies, asset management companies, Chinese metals market and Renminbi internationalization on commodities trading and futures market.

In 2020, Mr Shi was appointed as the member of the User Committee of the LME where he can voice the interests of metal trading community particularly from an Asian perspective.

Mr Shi obtained a Bachelor degree in Metallurgical Engineering from University of Science and Technology Beijing in 1996 and Executive Master of Business Administration from China Europe International Business School in 2019.