Independent financial markets education · Learn at your own pace

LONDON SCHOOL OF TRADE

Meet Our Trade Mentors

Decades of first-hand market experience and a practical approach to education.

Richard at LIFFE

Founder & Trade Mentor

Richard M Spencer

Richard M Spencer has over 35 years of experience across securities and derivatives markets, combining trading expertise with international business, commodities and corporate finance.

Richard began his career in 1990, aged 16, with NatWest Futures at London's Royal Exchange. He subsequently joined US commodities firm Refco at the International Petroleum Exchange (IPE), where he traded Brent Crude Oil and Natural Gas, before becoming a Broker/Trader at the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE).

At LIFFE he worked with Barclays de Zoete Wedd (Barclays Capital), Nordbanken and Crédit Agricole. He later established his own proprietary trading fund, focusing on Short Sterling Futures.

Beyond trading, Richard has consulted internationally on renewable energy projects and developed financial packages for mining and commodities ventures across Africa and South America. He advises LIWA Petroleum and Technical Services Est., based in Abu Dhabi, and has spoken at international business conferences.

Richard holds an MBA specialising in International Business and Corporate Finance and is the author of the Invest in Yourself Workbook.

Discover the workbook ↗

Matthew at LIFFE

Co-Founder & Trade Mentor

Matthew Day

Matthew Day brings over 35 years of experience in financial markets, specialising primarily in exchange-traded derivatives.

His career has given him an extensive understanding of global markets from trading, market infrastructure and client-facing perspectives.

Matthew worked at the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE) with Gelderman Futures, ED & F Mann, GH Financials and Lehman Brothers. He also served as an Account Manager at Trading Technologies, a provider of professional electronic trading platforms.

He brings an in-depth understanding of the European derivatives landscape, electronic trading software and the technology supporting modern financial markets.