Michael Walker

When Michael Walker turned down a role with JP Morgan in his last year of study at the University of Auckland, those around him thought he had gone crazy. However, he had other plans, co-founding FinTech company BlackBull Markets and growing it to be one of New Zealand’s leading trading platforms. The startup was also self-funded, as Walker didn’t want to compromise its values and vision by taking other people’s money.

The company set out to give everyone, from a first-time investor to a professional bank trader, the ability to access the markets as if they were trading from Wall Street. BlackBull Markets is the only provider to have complete market access globally, while offering the NZX to its global market client base, allowing liquidity and foreign investment in New Zealand.

BlackBull Market’s global growth has been exponential, reflected in the fact that New Zealand customers now make up less than 10% of its customer base. One of the secrets to this growth has been making employees owners of the business. The company’s profits are brought back to New Zealand, offering ownership opportunities to all staff, so when BlackBull Markets does well, so do the people that work for it.

Walker has also fulfilled his aspirations to reinvest in New Zealand. BlackBull Market’s is a major partner of the Starship Foundation and provides pathways for Māori and Pacifica students with no financial experience. It also sponsors emerging Kiwi sports stars.