Michael Platt
Michael Platt is the Founder and CEO of BlueCrest Capital Management, one of Europe’s largest and most successful hedge fund firms. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in global finance, Platt is also recognized for his philanthropy and contributions to the investment community. Before launching BlueCrest in 2000, he built his career at J.P. Morgan, where he honed his expertise in systematic trading, quantitative strategies, and risk management. Beyond finance, Platt is a passionate contemporary art collector, curating his collection by commissioning bespoke works from leading artists rather than buying existing pieces. His insights and achievements have been featured extensively in major outlets including Forbes, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Business Insider, Yahoo! Finance, and Institutional Investor.
Michael Platt Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Co-Founder and CEO
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Head of Trading
Academic History
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B.A., Mathematics and Economics
Under Michael Platt’s leadership, BlueCrest Capital Management has grown into one of the world’s most prominent hedge fund firms, managing more than $35 billion in assets at its peak.
The firm became known for its sophisticated trading algorithms, quantitative models, and advanced risk management systems, which consistently delivered strong returns.
In 2015, Platt returned outside investors’ capital and transformed BlueCrest into a private family office. Since then, the firm has continued to thrive, recording remarkable performance including a 95% net return in 2020, following several years of strong gains in the 50% range.
Today, BlueCrest employs approximately 550 staff worldwide, operating through more than 150 independent trading “pods” across diverse asset classes including bonds, commodities, foreign exchange, and systematic strategies.
EARLY CAREER
Before co-founding BlueCrest in 2000, Platt spent nearly a decade at J.P. Morgan, where he rose to lead the bank’s Eurozone swaps and options trading desk.
During his tenure, he also managed multi-billion-dollar portfolios in derivatives and government bonds, building the foundation of expertise that would later shape his success as a hedge fund leader.