During my career as a trader at Goldman Sachs and later as Global Head of Financial Engineering at Leonteq, I interviewed countless candidates and trained many juniors. I saw first-hand the gap between what universities teach and what is actually required on a trading floor. I also learned what makes a candidate stand out during interviews—what signals competence, confidence, and readiness both in terms of knowledge and attitude.
To close that gap, I began organizing in-person intensive bootcamps in St-Gallen, London, Zurich, and Singapore.
Those bootcamps delivered results. Many of my students secured positions at top investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, Société Générale, Morgan Stanley... The success confirmed that there is a way to prepare candidates properly—by teaching them how the market actually works and what is actually expected from them.
The Institute of Derivatives is the natural evolution of that work. It is not a single course, but a broader initiative designed to support the next generation of traders, structurers, and financial engineers. The Institute will host multiple projects over time, combining education, mentorship, and research.
The first project is the Derivatives Bootcamp, an online version of the in-person bootcamps I’ve conducted in the past. It is highly selective, rigorous, and designed for those who want to be fully prepared on day one. This is not a course for everyone—it is for those who are serious about mastering derivatives at the level required by top-tier institutions.
The trading floor is demanding. Expectations are high, time is limited, and mistakes are costly. The Institute reflects that reality. I am not here to entertain you—I am here to prepare you.
There is theory, but there is also a lot of practice. Pricing options, structuring payoffs, analyzing volatility surfaces — these are skills, not just concepts. And like any skill, they are learned by doing.
Throughout my career, I’ve interviewed hundreds of candidates and trained many junior professionals. I’ve seen what makes someone stand out—not just on paper, but in real front-office environments. In parallel, I’ve taught derivatives and structured products at leading business schools including HEC Paris and EDHEC Business School.
I graduated from the French “grandes écoles” system, with degrees from École Centrale Paris and HEC Paris. I also hold an MSc in Finance and Economics from the London School of Economics, and a PhD in Finance from EDHEC Business School.
I enjoy teaching because I like to see people improve—and ultimately perform. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone evolve, grow in confidence, and succeed in a world as demanding as the trading floor.
If you have questions about our training programs or academic approach, don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
