Key Takeaways
- • BlueCrest hired Maurice Taieb, former head of systematic rates trading for EMEA at Bank of America, as a partner effective July 2, 2025, following a 23-year career at the bank.
- • Taieb, a French-born trader in his mid-40s with a master's degree in applied mathematics from Columbia, specializes in machine learning applications for systematic macro trading and departed BofA on June 30 with minimal apparent gardening leave.
- • The hire represents BlueCrest's continued aggressive recruitment of senior talent from major financial institutions; the firm also elevated Sam Tabari, a ~28-year-old rates trader from Goldman Sachs, to partner status in June 2025.
- • BlueCrest's compensation model—retaining 30% of profits as a family office managing no external capital—and strong performance (28% year-to-date gain as of early June 2025) position the firm as an attractive destination despite reported high personnel turnover under founder Mike Platt.
- • The dual hires signal BlueCrest's strategic focus on expanding its macro and systematic trading capabilities, consistent with hiring announcements from May 2024 targeting portfolio manager additions across these strategies.
Summary
BlueCrest Capital Management has recruited Maurice Taieb, a systematic macro trader with over two decades of experience at Bank of America, as a partner. Taieb departed BofA on June 30, 2025, and joined BlueCrest on July 2, representing a rapid transition typical when moving from a traditional bank to a family office structure. According to the FCA Register, Taieb held the title of head of systematic rates trading for EMEA at Bank of America prior to his departure.
Taieb brings substantial credentials to the role. The French national holds a master's degree in applied mathematics from Columbia University and has spent his entire 23-year professional career at Bank of America. He is recognized as a specialist in applying machine learning to systematic macro trading strategies, an area of clear strategic importance to BlueCrest given the firm's macro trading heritage and recent performance gains.
The Taieb hire reflects BlueCrest's broader talent acquisition strategy. In June 2025, the firm elevated Sam Tabari, approximately 28 years old and formerly a rates trader at Goldman Sachs, to partner status. BlueCrest has also made partner-level additions from Barclays, BNP Paribas, Eisler Capital, JPMorgan, and other institutions, signaling sustained focus on recruiting experienced traders from established financial institutions. This hiring intensity aligns with BlueCrest's May 2024 stated objective to add portfolio managers across macro and systematic strategies.
BlueCrest's compensation structure underpins its recruiting appeal. As a family office managing no external investor capital, the firm allows portfolio managers to retain 30% of profits—a notably higher carry split than traditional hedge funds or prime brokerages offer. This structure, combined with year-to-date performance of 28% as reported by the Financial Times in early June 2025, positions BlueCrest as an attractive destination despite founder Mike Platt's acknowledged demanding management style and documented high personnel turnover.
Taieb brings substantial credentials to the role. The French national holds a master's degree in applied mathematics from Columbia University and has spent his entire 23-year professional career at Bank of America. He is recognized as a specialist in applying machine learning to systematic macro trading strategies, an area of clear strategic importance to BlueCrest given the firm's macro trading heritage and recent performance gains.
The Taieb hire reflects BlueCrest's broader talent acquisition strategy. In June 2025, the firm elevated Sam Tabari, approximately 28 years old and formerly a rates trader at Goldman Sachs, to partner status. BlueCrest has also made partner-level additions from Barclays, BNP Paribas, Eisler Capital, JPMorgan, and other institutions, signaling sustained focus on recruiting experienced traders from established financial institutions. This hiring intensity aligns with BlueCrest's May 2024 stated objective to add portfolio managers across macro and systematic strategies.
BlueCrest's compensation structure underpins its recruiting appeal. As a family office managing no external investor capital, the firm allows portfolio managers to retain 30% of profits—a notably higher carry split than traditional hedge funds or prime brokerages offer. This structure, combined with year-to-date performance of 28% as reported by the Financial Times in early June 2025, positions BlueCrest as an attractive destination despite founder Mike Platt's acknowledged demanding management style and documented high personnel turnover.
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