GUEST COMMENT: My new life as an interdealer broker

I spent 11 years working as a trader in UK equities. I did programme trading - I'd trade some stocks myself and would use brokers to trade the rest.

Earlier this year, it got to the stage where I wanted something different. I knew trading, but wanted to try something else. In London I joined KBW Associates as a broker.

There are two big pluses to a career in broking. The first is the opportunity to earn a lot of money. If you're a good broker, you can make a lot. If you're a good trader you can also make a lot - but it will be dependent upon the goodwill of whoever's employing you.

As a broker, I get paid a percentage of the revenues I bring in. There's no uncertainty about discretionary bonuses - if I bring in a lot of money, I earn a lot of money. Simple.

Broking is also a very relationship-based industry. At the end of the day it's all about whether you can persuade traders to give you their business. In return you could be expected to give them market data, morning notes and trading ideas but above all, a professional level of service. Therefore while traders spend their time sitting by screens and watching the markets,

I spend a lot of time networking. As a broker, you've just got keep chipping away.

Are there any downsides? Yes. People are always saying the City's overbroked and there are times you get the phone slammed down on you. Then there's the socialising: I'm out at least four nights a week either with clients or networking for clients. You get nights when you're in at 9pm, but you also get nights when you're out until 4 in the morning and get two hours sleep. Sometimes you don't want to go out, but you have no choice if you want to

find clients and get paid.