Sharegain
Tom Rawson
15 April 2025
Tom Rawson, demand generation lead at Sharegain, speaks with Daniel Tison about his job in retail securities lending and the growth that comes from tackling live challenges
Image: Tom Rawson
Can you tell me about your journey into the securities finance industry?
Since my late teens, I have had a keen interest in financial markets more broadly. My first real exposure came from trading whatever money I had saved from odd jobs during the Covid market reversal in the early 2020s. It quickly became an obsession, fuelled by forgiving market conditions that rewarded an enthusiastic, naïve investor caught up in the hype of cryptocurrencies and the electric vehicles revolution.
After graduating from university and realising markets can move down as well as up, I joined Sharegain in November 2022 — coincidentally, the same month Bitcoin hit multi-year lows. I started as a junior research analyst, drawn to Sharegain’s mission of tackling an esoteric part of finance and increasing access for retail investors. Just three months later, I moved to the trading desk, where I have remained since.
As a young professional, what aspects of your role or the industry do you find most exciting?
Overseeing and executing securities borrowing and lending (SBL) transactions with our counterparties across multiple asset classes and jurisdictions makes for an extremely varied and engaging day-to-day.
I enjoy the constant pursuit of optimising our lendable inventory — it is always a rewarding feeling bringing new client assets into the programme, knowing the work I am involved in drives real value, both for our clients earning passive income and for the broader ecosystem we are striving to build.
Beyond the trade side, I get to work closely with the product and developer teams, with a big focus on optimising for scale, minimising manual workflows, and enhancing data insights to allow us to make more informed decisions on the desk.
Many companies offer various training and development opportunities for their employees. How has your company supported your growth?
At Sharegain, my growth and development have been largely supported through on-the-job training and cross-functional collaboration. My ability to move internally from the role of a research analyst to the trading desk in such a short time is a testament to the firm’s commitment to supporting the team’s personal growth.
As a company in its growth phase with a relatively small headcount, Sharegain benefits from a culture of openness and knowledge transfer, with new joiners encouraged to get exposure to all aspects of the business.
What misconceptions about working in the financial industry have you encountered, and how do you address these challenges?
It is often said that the financial industry is built on antiquated systems with rigid hierarchical structures. As a young professional, the idea that you must ‘earn your stripes’ for several years before you can begin to effect real change in the business can be off-putting.
In my experience at Sharegain, from day one, you are encouraged to bring new ideas to the table and challenge existing processes. You are then given full responsibility to ensure the implementation and success of your own initiatives, regardless of age or tenure.
Looking ahead, where do you see yourself in the next five years in terms of your career goals and aspirations?
My goals and aspirations are driven in large part by where my curiosity and interests align. This early on in my career, I look to embrace continuous learning, and as with any intellectual pursuit, it is much easier to stick to when you have a passion for what you are doing. My role at Sharegain has and continues to be a great outlet for me to exercise my curiosity.
Specifically, I would like to continue my work into automation and increasing efficiencies on the desk. With the explosion of generative AI over the past couple of years, it has never been easier to start coding.
What advice do you have for other young professionals aspiring to pursue a career in your industry?
My advice to young professionals entering the financial industry is to seek out roles where you can learn by doing. Prioritise being a practitioner — much more fun than drafting PowerPoint presentations all day!
From my time on the trading desk at Sharegain, I have learnt that real growth comes from tackling live challenges, like managing trades in volatile markets or collaborating with tech teams to solve operational gaps. Theoretical knowledge has its limitations, whereas becoming a practitioner will help build the instincts and resilience you need to succeed.
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