Key Takeaways
- • James Watson, a macro portfolio manager who ran a pod of more than 20 people at Millennium for nearly seven years, is leaving Balyasny Asset Management (BAM) in London and returning to Millennium, according to Bloomberg and eFinancialCareers.
- • Watson joined BAM from Millennium in London in September 2024 and built a smaller pod there. Several members of that team have already departed.
- • Aditya Singh and George Tyrell, who joined BAM from Goldman Sachs in 2024, left in July according to the FCA Register. Olek Gajowniczek, formerly of Nomura, is also reported to have been part of Watson's pod.
- • Reports suggest John Sun, currently at BAM in New York, is also moving to Millennium. Neither firm commented.
- • Headhunters describe Watson and his team as expensive hires, which may make the brief BAM tenure costly for the smaller fund.
Summary
Millennium Management is rehiring James Watson, a macro portfolio manager, after his short stint at Balyasny Asset Management (BAM) in London. Bloomberg first reported Watson's exit from BAM, and eFinancialCareers understands he is returning to Millennium. Neither Millennium nor BAM commented, and Watson did not respond to a request for comment.
Watson spent nearly seven years at Millennium, where he is thought to have run a pod of more than 20 people. He joined BAM from Millennium's London office in September 2024 and built a team there, though it was considerably smaller. It is unclear what will happen to that pod, as several members have already left. Aditya Singh and George Tyrell, who joined BAM from Goldman Sachs in 2024, both departed in July, according to the FCA Register. Olek Gajowniczek, previously at Nomura, is also reported to have been part of Watson's team. eFinancialCareers also reports that John Sun, based at BAM in New York, is expected to join Millennium.
Headhunters describe Watson as an expensive hire, and members of his team were reportedly costly as well. If Watson does return to Millennium, the brief move could prove a significant expense for BAM's London operation, which is considerably smaller than Millennium's.
Watson spent nearly seven years at Millennium, where he is thought to have run a pod of more than 20 people. He joined BAM from Millennium's London office in September 2024 and built a team there, though it was considerably smaller. It is unclear what will happen to that pod, as several members have already left. Aditya Singh and George Tyrell, who joined BAM from Goldman Sachs in 2024, both departed in July, according to the FCA Register. Olek Gajowniczek, previously at Nomura, is also reported to have been part of Watson's team. eFinancialCareers also reports that John Sun, based at BAM in New York, is expected to join Millennium.
Headhunters describe Watson as an expensive hire, and members of his team were reportedly costly as well. If Watson does return to Millennium, the brief move could prove a significant expense for BAM's London operation, which is considerably smaller than Millennium's.
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