Aquis boss Haynes leaves a legacy of innovation, says DAVID BUIK

The news that Alasdair Haynes is stepping down as chief executive of Aquis Exchange was met with a mixture of surprise, disappointment and understanding. 

Health issues forced Alasdair to vacate the chief executive’s responsibilities and slide into the President’s chair, where access to his experience and knowledge will be readily on tap.

His name will always be synonymous with Aquis Exchange, no matter if David Stevens, the new chief executive, takes the company forward to a greater level of achievement, and whatever influence SIX Swiss Exchange, its new owner, brings to the table. 

Alasdair laid the foundations for this innovative operation at its inception in 2013. No one will challenge this significant achievement. It’s his legacy.

I have known this extraordinary individual since he was a fresh-faced eighteen-year-old lad in the treasury department at Morgan Grenfell.

During my 60 years in the City I have never met anyone with greater business charisma attached to leadership qualities coupled with a steely resolve to succeed and to take people with him. 

Alasdair Haynes, chief executive of Aquis Exchange, is stepping down for health reasons

Hence his obsession to create an online pan-European exchange with the very best of technology.

Alasdair was always respectful of the LSE, AIM and other European bourses. 

However, their achievements, especially with so many creative SMEs not receiving the accolade and support they deserved, never quite achieved his seal of approval. He believed the Aquis way was the best way.

He has been critical of both recent Governments for failing to make the City of London more competitive. 

The failure to cut stamp duty and ease regulation more quickly were unacceptable to him and very frustrating. 

He felt that the loss of mega IPO business to the US was inevitable due to better access to investors and more liquidity. 

However, there was no excuse for not attending to the needs of so many aspiring companies with brilliant futures.

Fruitful times at Bankers Trust, HSBC and ITG Group were perfect stepping stones for the evolution of Aquis Exchange. 

With his persuasive manner in overdrive, Alasdair captured the imagination of a number of international investors from Poland, Israel and the UK, with Schroders and Rich Ricci to the fore with Aquis Exchange finally opening its doors in November 2013.

Last year Aquis attracted the attention of SIX Swiss Exchange. The subsequent acquisition of Aquis looks a great deal for all parties, enabling the client base to be expanded. 

Haynes has been a champion of SMEs, never losing an opportunity of promoting their cause.