Clipper Round the World Yacht Race – Financial tech leader to debut

by Clipper Ventures on 5 Aug 2015 2015 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race – The UK’s leading financial technology firm is set to continue its extreme sporting prowess by sponsoring a team. LMAX Exchange will be making its global ocean-racing debut at the end of the month when the 40,000 nautical mile race begins in London.

The race, recognised as one of the hardest endurance challenges in the world, reflects the LMAX Exchange company values of ambition, teamwork and innovation. Earlier this year, David Mercer, the CEO of LMAX Exchange, trekked through the arctic to participate in a Guinness World Record-breaking rugby game at the North Pole.

David Mercer, CEO of LMAX Exchange, comments, “Overcoming challenges is at the heart of our business. It takes courage to disrupt the world’s largest financial sector and the competition, ambition and camaraderie required by the Clipper Race will also be a huge motivation for our own team.”

“We are focused on expanding our global reach even further and believe our unique vision for global FX trading is set to lead industry change not only in the UK but globally. This race is symbolic for us, a physical manifestation of our global growth.”

With a growing international client base operating in 90 countries, LMAX Exchange is helping lead the way for UK tech companies taking their services overseas.

William Ward, Chief Executive of race organisers Clipper Ventures, said: “We are very pleased to welcome LMAX Exchange as a first-time Clipper Race sponsor. Their business is built on teamwork and world-class excellence, values that are central to the race.”

David Mercer is aiming to join the LMAX Exchange team for part of the race, which will be led by skipper Olivier Cardin, 45. Cardin, who was an IT Project Manager before becoming a professional sailor, is the first Frenchman to ever skipper a team in the race.

Olivier Cardin said: “I have never been one to do things in half measures, LMAX Exchange is an ambitious company and will match my own vision for the race. David is no stranger to tests like this and I am looking forward to having him join us on the race.”

LMAX Exchange will be one of twelve teams participating in the tenth edition of the event, which trains amateur crew to race across the world’s most challenging oceans under the leadership of a professional skipper.

LMAX Exchange counts many global banks, hedge funds and brokers as its clients with the Clipper 2015-16 Race providing an opportunity to take the brand around the world and reinforce its position in global capital markets. The firm will host a number of events in major financial centres including London, Sydney and New York, where clients will be invited to the race village.

The Clipper 2015-16 Race starts on 30 August 2015 at St Katharine Docks, London and will return eleven months later on 30 July 2016. The event’s global race track visits 14 markets on six continents and is used extensively by sponsors to showcase their products and services to an international audience against the stimulating backdrop that the race provides.