Cowen Inc. (NASDAQ:COWN) has undergone a key executive move with the appointment of Rhys Brooks to the role of Head of Sales and Trading at the firm’s investment bank, Cowen and Company. In his new position, Brooks will report to Dan Charney, co-president of Cowen and Company.
Cowen Inc. provides alternative investment management, investment banking, research, and sales, and trading services through its broker-dealer business and alternative investment management unit. The company expects Brooks’ 25 years of experience, insights and industry relationships to help scale its global equities platform.
Brooks joins Cowen after a shakeup at KeyBanc Capital Markets, the corporate and investment banking arm of Cleveland-based KeyCorp, where he had been its head of sales and trading for more than two years.
Prior to KeyBanc, Brooks served for nine years with Jefferies LLC, most recently as managing director and head of sales trading. He left Jefferies after this long tenure as the investment bank had been cutting some of the division’s highest-paid executives following a plunge in revenue at its Equities business.
Brooks brings a lengthy experience and an impressive track record in the global financial services industry. His career encompasses a variety of senior finance and strategy positions, including seven years as co-head of cash trading at Thomas Weisel Partners. He began his career in 1994 as a position trader at Merrill Lynch.
Dan Charney, Co-President of Cowen and Company, commented: “We’re very excited to welcome Rhys Brooks, whom I have worked with over many years, to the Cowen team. Clients transact with us because we have an unparalleled level of industry expertise and fluency in the sectors we cover.
Speaking on his new role, Brooks added, “Cowen is a top U.S. broker in cash equities for institutional clients because of its excellence in equity research and market intelligence. It’s a privilege to help clients generate superior returns with such a unique platform. I look forward to working with Dan again and with the sales and trading team to maintain the strong momentum.”
