Tech hiring spree on the cards at JPMorgan?

As we've alluded to previously, JPMorgan has been increasing its IT spend, the result of which has been an increased desire to recruit techies. Now, however, it seems this technology focus has become decidedly more aggressive.

The appointment of Paul Compton as chief administrative officer for its investment bank is viewed as a strategic move to accelerate improvements in technology across the company.

In a memo sent to staff, cited by the Wall Street Journal, JPMorgan said it will be "moving from a defensive posture" on integrating systems to "pursuing business opportunities that will be driven by technology."

Compton's appointment is the latest in a series of senior tech hires at the bank. It has also recruited Sanjeev Jain as CTO for its securitized products group from BoA Merill; India Gary-Martin as global head of location strategy and performance metrics; and has promoted Ludwig D'Angelo, formerly executive director for trading technology, to a new role in its Worldwide Securities Services division.

Earlier this year, JPMorgan also appointed Olushola Olateju to lead its global electronic trading technology team.

JPMorgan is currently among the most effusive tech recruiters of the bulge bracket investment banks. It currently has around 150 IT roles in the UK across its offices in Glasgow, London and Bournemouth.

IT in finance recruiters confirm that JPMorgan is currently relatively aggressive when it comes to taking on techies, with front office projects around equity derivatives and flow products offering opportunities as well as roles cropping up within its Poseidon development team.

Headhunters also suggest that Aaron Grantham, head of currencies technology at the bank, is looking add to his team.