HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BTIG Hong Kong, Ltd., a broker dealer specializing in institutional trading and related brokerage services, today announced that it is now a member of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, giving the firm direct access to this important market and demonstrating its commitment to the region.

“Our clients want access to a global platform and through our office in Hong Kong we are able to offer that service across Asia,” said Kevin Chessen, head of BTIG LLC’s International division. “Our acceptance to the Hong Kong Exchange is an important part of our growth in the region and combined with the exceptional talent that we are attracting to BTIG, we are well positioned to take advantage of opportunities across Asia.”

BTIG has also expanded its Hong Kong-based team with the appointment of Charles Crofton-Atkins. Crofton-Atkins joins BTIG as an Executive Director. Previously, he has held a variety of roles at SHK Securities, South China Securities, HSBC Securities and Credit Suisse First Boston. He is a graduate of Newcastle University (UK).

The Hong Kong office, which opened in March 2008, is led by Chief Executive Officer Grant Mason, formerly Executive Director and Co-founder of Kay Hian Overseas Securities (latterly UOB Kay Hian Hong Kong) and Head of Institutional Sales at TIR Securities. He is a graduate of Exeter University (UK). The 17-person team includes five sales traders and three execution traders trading equities across all markets in Asia.

Grant Mason added: “Hong Kong is an important strategic market for BTIG and provides a gateway for us to the rest of Asia. The ongoing expansion of the team in Hong Kong provides our clients with a strong on-the-ground presence with local knowledge and expertise combined with BTIG’s proven model of high-touch execution combined with compelling value-added services.”

The BTIG Hong Kong Sales team also includes:

Christian Kielland, Managing Director and Head of BTIG’s Hong Kong Ltd. Trading Desk: A graduate of the Kenyon College (USA), Kielland started his career with TIR Securities in New York before moving to Hong Kong in 2000 as Head of the Etrade trading desk.

Charles Chen, Director: Chen started his career as a floor trader at TIR Securities in Hong Kong and when the firm was acquired by Etrade in 2000, he became a sales trader. He is fluent in English and Cantonese.

Louisa Liu, Vice President, Sales Trading: Liu started her career at Daiwa in Hong Kong as Head of Asian Equities Dealing and worked as Sales Trader for Macquarie, CLSA and Etrade before joining BTIG. She is a graduate of York University in Toronto, Canada and is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Tim Lo, Vice President, Sales: Lo joined BTIG from Etrade in 2008 in Institutional Sales and now focuses on hedge funds, long-only and mutual funds. He is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese and is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He focuses on funds operating in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. He is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

About BTIG

BTIG LLC is a premier institutional brokerage and fund services company. Founded in 2002 BTIG employs over 300 individuals across the country. BTIG serves over 1,200 institutional customers and offers services from five divisions: Equity Trading, Fixed Income Trading, Prime Brokerage, Outsource Trading and Direct Market Access. BTIG has offices in New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Greenwich, Red Bank, Aspen and Orinda. The firm also has affiliates in London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney.

BTIG LLC is a member of FINRA and SIPC

BTIG Australia Limited is a member of ASIC and ASE

BTIG Hong Kong Limited, Exchange Participant of SEHK, licensed and regulated by the SFC

BTIG Ltd is a member of the LSE and is authorized and regulated by the FSA

BTIG Singapore Pte Ltd is registered and licensed with MAS