Investment banking boutique KNG Securities has appointed Gary Ballard as its new head of equities.
Ballard brings over 30 years’ experience in equity sales, having previously held positions at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Baring Securities.
He joins KNG from VTB Capital, where he most recently served as managing director and global head of equity sales.
As part of his new role, Ballard will be focused on what the firm describes as ‘special situations’, helping clients deal in equities where liquidity may have been reduced temporarily.
KNG Securities stated that Ballard’s experience in equities – particularly with European and Asian institutional clients – will be important for the firm’s growth strategy.
“Gary will spearhead our expansion into equities. His experience and track record speak for themselves – there is nobody better-suited to leading this area of our business,” said Andrea Podesta, managing partner at KNG Securities.
Ballard appointment follows a string of recent hires by KNG Securities over the last few months.
Among the new additions are Fernando Ortega, who was appointed as head of emerging market sales; Igor Nartov, who was hired as an emerging market debt senior adviser; and Cargi Kutman, who holds a senior fixed income sales role within the firm’s credit trading team.
“I am delighted to join a firm with such strong commitment to long-term growth,” said Ballard.
“I’m keen for KNG to start to build the same reputation in equities as it already enjoys in fixed income.”