Options Group

Our History

25-year evolution of finance & technology.

  • January 1, 1992

    Michael Karp and Bob Reed founded Options Group

    Options Group began as a technology recruiting firm in 1992. We placed application and analytic programmers, together with quant researchers focusing on derivative strategies. As it was clear there was an integration of technology into finance, many of these software/quant professionals evolved to become the derivative and structured products professionals that we know today.

  • June 21, 1996

    Expansion and Growth

    In 1996, the founders of Options Group purchased a 10,000 sq. foot building in Gramercy Park to empower expansion and growth. Our flagship office in New York City has since grown from six to eighty people. During this time, we have demonstrated complete consistency in managing relationships, as many of our original clients continue to be clients of the firm today. Candidates that have been placed by us as associates now run businesses around the world as global heads and CEOs at banks and other financial institutions.

  • January 15, 1999

    Options Group Launches New Office in London

    Leveraging our existing relationships with major US businesses, who were sending their people as expatriates to such cities as Hong Kong, London and Tokyo, we frequently traveled to London between 1996-2000, building our own business, expanding our brand and deepening client relationships. In 1999, it was evident we were already a leading firm in London and that we needed to open an office there. First locating in the heart of London’s West End, we later chose to move our offices to the City of London, where almost all our clients were based.

  • May 2, 2000

    Options Group Launches New Office in Tokyo and Hong Kong

    Many of our clients were sending expatriates employees to Asia to build a business in anticipation of the Asian financial crisis of 1997 – it was a great time to be involved in the distressed business, as almost all currencies were devalued. From 1997 to 2000, we continued to travel to Hong Kong and Tokyo, recruiting in specifically the distressed space where banks, hedge funds and private equity firms were recruiting in a significant way. So in 2000 we opened our offices there, as we already established deep client relationships with some of the biggest firms in the world.

  • March 13, 2004

    News: Options Group Names David Korn Managing Partner

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of David Korn to Managing Partner. David has proven himself indispensable to our European expansion in both building relationships and securing mandates on the Continent. David joined Options Group in November 1999, as the first hire in the firm’s London office. He is responsible for our European operation and has been a key figure in establishing and managing Options Group’s equities arm on the Continent.

  • January 23, 2005

    News: Crain’s Names Options Group 7th-Largest Executive Recruiter

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, was named the 7th-largest executive recruiter in the New York area by Crain’s New York Business – the third consecutive year the firm has been in the top ten. Options Group finished in 8th place in 2004. Options Group improved its ranking after the total number of employees in New York jumped to 47 last year from 39 in 2004. Options Group, which now has over 100 employees in seven offices around the world, has combined its strong, historical relationships with technology in creating the real-time aggregation of valuable information and data.

  • June 10, 2005

    Innovative Intelligence

    Technology drove change, and we adapted by recruiting in the space of derivatives as well as by enhancing our internal capabilities. Options Group was one of the first search firms to use the internet and email, while creating an innovative intelligence product for our clients. We went from pen and paper drawing organizational maps in 1995, to having complex software and systems designing intricate, tech-friendly org charts on a global level.

  • July 29, 2006

    Options Group Launches New Office in São Paulo

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, is pleased to announce the opening of its São Paulo, Brazil office. Options Group São Paulo will provide local coverage to its existing Latin American clients and enable the firm to build its search and consulting practice in the region.

  • June 18, 2007

    Options Group Launches New Office in Mumbai

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, announces the opening of its Mumbai office to meet the growing demand for executive search and strategic intelligence consulting services globally.

  • July 19, 2008

    Options Group Launches New Office in Singapore

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, announces the opening of its Singapore office, Options Group Singapore, to meet the growing demand for services in the Asia-Pacific region. Director Emile Den Ouden will lead the effort into this fast-growing market.

  • October 28, 2009

    Options Group Launches New Office in Zurich

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, announces the opening of its Zurich office to meet the growing demand for services in the EMEA region. Director Simi Rehani will lead the effort and focus on the region’s vast private banking businesses.

  • September 15, 2010

    Options Group Reorganizes its Global Investment Banking Practice

    As a global leader in financial services executive search, Options Group continues to innovate to address the evolving needs of clients. This is why we have positioned our firm to mirror the locations and products of our core clients: Global Investment Banks, Investment Managers and Hedge Funds. With this in mind, Options Group will structure its Banking Practice to mimic the sector-based approach of investment banking. It will dedicate senior consultants to specific revenue generating sectors including FIG, Energy, Healthcare, TMT, Consumer/Retail, and General Industrials. Options Group Consultants will offer industry expertise on the competitive landscape, top talent, recent moves, and background intelligence in their assigned sector(s).

  • February 23, 2011

    Options Group Launches New Office in Frankfurt

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, announces the opening of its Frankfurt office to meet the growing demand for services in the EMEA region. Executive Director, Ina Bauermeister, will lead the effort and focus on the region’s technology practice.

  • June 28, 2015

    The New Age.

    Our business has evolved from conducting traditional application, infrastructure tech-related searches to now being one of the leading recruitment specialist firms, focusing on electronic and algorithmic trading strategies for customer and proprietary institutions. We place high-level talent in trading, sales, capital markets, quantitative analytics, and tech development, as we remain as one of the leading firms to bridge finance and technology in the new age.

  • August 3, 2015

    Options Group announces the launch of its new smarter, faster executive search website

    Options Group announces the launch of our new website to better represent our core services: exclusive rapid access to top talent, primary research intelligence, and strategic organizational analysis. It illustrates how we want to be viewed and valued as we continue to take a market leadership position in changing the face of financial services recruitment, research, and consulting around the globe.

  • December 1, 2015

    Options Group announces the completion of its acquisition of Whitney Correlate’s business

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, has completed its acquisition of Whitney Correlate’s business, a premier capital markets search firm with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore.

  • March 10, 2016

    Options Group Announces Its 2016 Promotions

    New York Options Group, a leading executive search and consulting firm, announces the promotion of 35 employees, including two new managing partners, nine new partners, and a newly created role of chief growth officer. “We congratulate all of these individuals for their dedication, leadership and productivity. Options Group believes the path to long-term success is achieved through cultivating teamwork and mentorship, and maintaining a meritocracy-based culture,” said Mike Karp, CEO of Options Group.

  • September 12, 2016

    Options Group Announces Its Acquisition of Broadstreet Global

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, announces its acquisition of Broadstreet Global, a financial services search and strategic consulting firm based in Sydney, Australia. Broadstreet Global specializes in search and consulting for investment banking, capital markets, structured products, alternative asset classes and insurance. Its client base includes some of the world’s largest financial institutions, regional banks, asset managers, insurers and selective boutiques.

  • December 21, 2016

    Options Group Announces Its Acquisition of Octavian Partners, an Executive Search Firm based in Dubai

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, announces its acquisition of Octavian Partners, an executive search firm, based in Dubai and focused on financial services in frontier, emerging and developed markets across the UK, Middle East and Asia. Octavian Partners provides tailored solutions for investment banks, private banks, asset managers, private equity funds, hedge funds, family offices and sovereign wealth funds. Since 2011, Octavian Partners has developed a reputation among clients for its results-driven executive search, rapid-response capability and strategic consulting services.

  • August 23, 2017

    Options Group Launches New Office in Amsterdam

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategy consulting firm, announces the opening of its Amsterdam office. This is the firm’s fifth office in Europe; the expansion will address the growing demand for long-term focused services in the Benelux region.

  • September 5, 2017

    Options Group Announces Its Acquisition of MCL Search Ltd

    Options Group, a leading global executive search and strategic consulting firm, announces its acquisition of MCL Search Ltd, an executive search firm based in London specializing in electronic markets (trading and distribution), prime brokerage/clearing and financial trading technology with a focus on currencies and fixed income.

  • September 23, 2018
    Options Group Shaking Hands Jobs With Our Clients

    2018 PROMOTIONS

    Options Group, a leading executive search and consulting firm, announces the promotion of 40 employees, including two new managing partners, and eight new partners.

  • January 10, 2020

    Options Group Announces The Opening Of Its Los Angeles Office

    Options Group announces the opening of its Los Angeles office to be led by Amit Kapoor, who has transferred from the New York office to oversee its ambitious growth plans for the region. As the Head of the Los Angeles office, Kapoor will be expanding the Options Group Americas footprint to cover all aspects of buy-side talent acquisition and development to include asset and wealth management, hedge funds, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Family Offices and Private Wealth Management.

  • October 4, 2020

    Co-Founder of Options Group Bob Reed Passes At 51

    It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Rajesh Malladi Shastry, also known as Bob Reed. Bob was our Co-Founder, President, mentor and friend. He passed today at the age of 51 years young in the company of his loved ones by his side. Today, we have lost someone who is irreplaceable to all of us; however, Bob’s legacy will be remembered and celebrated. A fiercely loving father, husband, family man and fearless leader, Bob led by example every day of his life. He impacted everyone who met him profoundly. May his soul Rest in Peace.

  • November 1, 2022

    Options Group Launches New Office in Dallas

    Options Group announces the opening of its Dallas office, led by Russell Kopp who has transferred from the Hong Kong office to oversee its ambitious growth plans. As the Head of the Dallas office, Russell will be expanding the Options Group Americas footprint to include a new practice focused on Healthcare in Financial Services as well as all aspects of our equities, hedge fund, asset management, investment banking, private equity, venture capital, and family offices franchises.

  • 2024

    Options Group has expanded its operations in the Asia-Pacific region through the acquisition of Agora Group International.

    Options Group, a global executive search and consulting firm, has expanded its operations in the Asia-Pacific region through the acquisition of Agora Group International. The move comes as part of the company’s strategic plans to enhance its capabilities and strengthen its presence in the region. The acquisition provides Options Group with an opportunity to better serve its existing clients and expand its reach to new clients in the retail and consumer goods sector. To lead this expansion, Options Group has appointed Arran Aujla as Executive Director and Head of Global Retail & Consumer Practice. Based in Bangkok, Arran will provide leadership to Options Group’s efforts in the Asia Pacific markets across retail, consumer and allied industries. He brings extensive experience and expertise in these sectors. Throughout his career, Arran has built up a strong track record advising conglomerates in APAC regarding their talent strategy and leadership hiring. He established Agora Group which had offices in Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong and also founded wykr.co, a talent referral platform. Arran’s appointment complements Options Group’s mission to enhance expand its capabilities in Asia-Pac. With his track record in conducting global and local searches in markets such as the UK, Europe, Middle East, Greater China, and all ASEAN markets, Arran will help Options Group towards is Vision 2025 goal. His leadership will be critical in the expansion of the company’s business across key emerging and growth markets in the ASEAN region. Mike Karp, CEO of Options Group commented, “On behalf of Options Group, I extend a warm welcome to Arran whose exceptional knowledge and background will greatly benefit our organization. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Arran and wish him all the best”. Raveen Shah, Co-COO of Options Group, said, “We are excited to announce that Arran has joined us. With his track record and expertise, Arran will make a valuable contribution to our ongoing efforts to expand and diversify our global presence.” Anil Sharma, Managing Partner – Asia, stated, “This is a strategic step towards our Vision 2025 in the APAC region and we are thrilled to have him on board. Welcome to the team, Arran!” David Korn, President of Options Group, finished, “Arran is an important addition to our Asian business. We look forward to the future together.

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