Marex is a tech-enabled liquidity hub connecting clients to global energy, commodity, and financial markets1. Established in 2005 as Marex Financial, it initially operated as an independent broker dealing in derivatives, forex, commodities, financial futures, and foreign exchange. The firm was created by the Marathon Special Opportunity Master Fund Limited, managed by Marathon Asset Management, following the collapse of its former parent company REFCo in 2005. Over the years, Marex underwent various changes and expansions. In 2010, hedge fund JRJ Group acquired a 74% stake in the company, bringing in former Lehman Brothers bankers to assist in expanding the business. In 2011, it acquired Spectron Group, a wholesale energy and other commodity products broker, and changed its name to Marex Spectron International Limited. Over the next decade, the firm made several other acquisitions and expanded its range of services, changing its name simply to Marex in March 20212.
The company offers a range of services including market-making, commercial hedging, price discovery, data, and advisory services catering to commodity producers, brokers, trading houses, and professional traders. Its clients span across various sectors including banks, hedge funds, asset managers, broking houses, commodity trading advisors, and professional traders. The company’s services encompass financial futures, options, and foreign exchange3.
Marex is headquartered in London but has a global presence with 36 offices across Europe, the USA, and APAC, employing over 1,800 individuals. Its client base predominantly consists of commodity producers and consumers, and its operations are extensive, covering various aspects of financial and commodity markets4.
The firm has continuously aimed for growth and diversification, as reflected in its numerous acquisitions and expansions into different sectors of commodity and financial markets. For instance, it acquired the Global Markets Division of Eden Financial in July 2011, adding non-derivative products as well as European cash equities and fixed income to its range of services. In subsequent years, Marex acquired other companies like Schneider Trading Associates’ Pro-Trader division, CSC Commodities, Marquee Oil, Tangent Trading, and XFA, an exchange traded derivatives (ETD) execution broker, among others. These acquisitions helped Marex broaden its service offerings and geographical reach, thereby boosting its revenues and operational profits over the years2.