Matrix Corporate Capital, part of London-based financial services group Matrix, has continued its expansion by hiring two KNG men as co-heads of fixed income. KNG is a firm specialising in trading convertible bonds. 

Bill Blain and Jim St Johnston will jointly head up the business advising individual clients on investments as well as developing a platform for financial institutions focused on raising capital for mid-sized banks and insurers.

Messrs Blain and St Johnston worked together to develop a new fixed income franchise for KNG. Prior to this, Mr Blain ran the financial institutions debt capital markets team at HSBC and Mr St Johnston was global head of syndicate at ABN Amro, running ABS, the bank capital and emerging markets businesses.

 “We are delighted with the appointment of two such experienced individuals as Bill and Jim to build our fixed income business, a further important step in contributing to the development of Matrix Corporate Capital as a full service debt and equity financing and investment services provider,” said Charles Good, chairman of Matrix Corporate Capital.

MCC has been growing since the end of last year, making hires in equity broking, corporate finance, research and asset management, as it strives to become a full service, integrated issuing house and broker. These hires will take the headcount at MCC to 57, while parent Matrix Group has a staff of around 200 based in London’s West End.