Simon N. Williams, Managing Director, BlackRock’s Government Affairs & Public Policy (GAPP), which engages with policy makers and regulators at the global, regional, and national levels to help address financial services policy challenges and to bring the voice of the end investor to the table. The team delivers data driven thought leadership to policy makers, clients, and industry peers, across the spectrum of financial policy issues impacting savers and investors.

Prior to moving to this role, Mr. Williams was APAC Head of Equity Trading within BlackRock Global Markets (BGM), having oversight over the trading of regional cash equities, futures, and OTC derivative implementation. Mr. Williams has over 25 years of experience in both APAC and global equity markets, with expertise in all aspects of equity trading and has gained a deep understanding of equities-trading structure and regulation. Important aspect of his role is thought leadership where he has served on numerous industry working groups and sub-committees including those at Asia Trader Forum and ASIFMA.

Mr. Williams’ service with the firm dates to 2002, including his years with Barclays Global Investors (BGI), which merged with BlackRock in 2009. At BGI, he had responsibility for implementing trading strategies for all BGI Europe’s index and transition management products. Prior to BGI, Mr. Williams worked as a member of the equity portfolio trading desk at CLSA.

Mr Williams industry leadership roles include being former co-chair of Asia Trader Forum (ATF) and co-chair AAMG China Working Group.

Mr. Williams earned a BSc Hons degree in geological sciences from Durham University, UK.