MAS Group Taps Ex-England Rugby Star Simon Halliday as Key Partnerships Adviser

MAS Group has appointed former England rugby international and senior investment banker Simon Halliday as its new Key Partnerships Adviser. The move comes as the company looks to strengthen institutional relationships across its three core divisions: MAS Markets, MAS Digital, and MAS Fund.

Bridging Sports and Finance

According to the announcement, Halliday earned 23 caps for England between 1986 and 1992, featuring in the 1991 Rugby World Cup Final and back-to-back Five Nations Grand Slam-winning teams. Off the field, he pursued a career in financial markets, holding senior roles at Lehman Brothers, Nomura International, and UBS.

In his new role, Halliday will support the group's efforts to expand its partnership network across traditional and digital finance sectors. He joins MAS Group as the company continues to grow its institutional client base and deepen its presence in liquidity provision, digital asset trading, and alternative investment management.

Commenting about the appointment, Simon Blackledge, the CEO of MAS Markets, said: “Simon’s deep understanding of high-performance teamwork, forged at the very pinnacle of international rugby, makes him an ideal architect for MAS Group’s partnership ecosystem”.

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MAS Markets CEO Simon Blackledge said Halliday’s background in elite sport and financial leadership makes him “an ideal architect for MAS Group’s partnership ecosystem.”

Oxford University Graduate

An Oxford University graduate, Halliday reportedly played first-class cricket and later chaired European Professional Club Rugby. He continues to serve in charitable roles, having helped raise over £3 million for health and veterans’ causes.

“Having worked for three decades in Financial Markets, mainly Investment Banking in the service of Asset Managers and Corporates, I hope that my experience can be brought to bear in helping the growth of MAS in the world of Institutional Trading , liquidity solutions and funds management,” commented Halliday.

“I also hope that my sporting background will assist in the bringing together and the development of important business relationships and which embody the values that sport holds dear.”

MAS Markets is an FCA-authorised liquidity provider; MAS Digital focuses on institutional-grade crypto execution and custody-agnostic solutions; and MAS Fund offers alternative investment strategies through a Luxembourg-regulated structure.