September 23, 2024
The firm aims to deliver fairer and more inclusive capital markets for retail investors
Investment banking platform, RetailBook, today announces its launch with fully independent operations.
RetailBook was established in 2022 and connects companies that are raising capital with UK retail investors. This firm originated as the REX platform in 2015, operating out of the UK investment bank, Peel Hunt.
The decision to create an independent company and platform was made as part of the objective of creating fairer and more inclusive capital markets for retail investors. This was achieved through collaboration agreements with firms like Hargreaves Lansdown, Jefferies and Rothschild & Co.
RetailBook’s platform allows companies to include individual investors in their fundraisings through retail brokers or wealth managers, and enables retail investors to participate in primary capital markets transactions alongside institutions.
RetailBook raised £2.5 million from investors in March 2024, receiving its FCA authorisation shortly after in April 2024. Peel Hunt’s REX will no longer operate, and Retail Book will independently conduct future retail transactions for Peel Hunt and other market participants.
RetailBook will be led by CEO, Aaqib Mirza, who is a founding director of the firm since its incorporation in 2022, and was previously a board member and Chief Technology Officer at Peel Hunt. He has over 25 years’ experience in banking and trading technology.
The senior team collectively brings 100 years of experience and includes Nicholas Cullen, Director of Finance and Operations; Kit Atkinson, Managing Director of Capital Markets; Michael Ward, Head of Client Coverage and Partnerships and Leah Williamson, Head of Risk and Compliance.
Aaqib Mirza, CEO of RetailBook said:
“We are proud to announce RetailBook’s independence. This is a significant milestone for the firm and I would like to thank the team for all of their hard work that helped make this a reality.
“RetailBook’s vision is to deliver fairer and more inclusive capital markets for retail investors. Until now, retail investors typically didn’t have access to primary capital markets transactions alongside institutions..
“For issuers, we will provide access to the huge pool of retail capital in the UK, which is estimated to be over £1 trillion.
