Fixnetix

With global markets in turmoil, it has never been more important for investors to have access to the right information, at the right time. Investors are increasingly likely to rely on automated computer systems to monitor and trade assets, and there is a constant drive to make these systems as fast and efficient as possible.

That is good news for UK trading technology company Fixnetix, which has developed technology that provides high-speed access to trading information on stock market assets, and the execution of trades.

Fixnetix offers an end to end financial information service to around 90 clients, says Hugh Hughes, the company's chairman and CEO. "What we offer is a complete service that includes everything from the co-location and managed services to the fibre-optic cables that bring the data up to the trading floor. For customers it's a one-stop shop." he says.

The company was founded in London in 2006, and its growth has been driven by the deregulation and expansion of financial services, and the increasing role of technology in global markets. There are now hundreds of companies using sophisticated technology systems and algorithms to gather financial information, and execute transactions in fractions of seconds. "Everything has a technical element today, and we're the only company offering this kind of technology across all asset classes."

Fixnetix also purchased a technology company based in Boston in 2009, to gain access to connectivity technology, and this provided a platform for US expansion – the company has recently opened offices in Boston, New York and Chicago.

Fixnetix is now cash-flow positive, following four rounds of venture capital funding in 2006, and the company saw revenues of £25.4m to March 2011, a 62.5% increase on the previous year's figures. Reported pre-tax profits increased from £90,000 to £730,000.

Thanks to strong growth and a fast-moving industry, recruitment is not generally a problem, says Hughes. "We are in an industry where there's always something new, so it's quite an attractive business for people to work in," he says. "We also work hard to communicate regularly with the 100 people who work with us, to ensure everyone understands where the business is going. We don't cultivate office politics here."

In June 2011, Fixnetix developed a microchip that can execute trades in nanoseconds, replacing the need for separate software with an even faster and more reliable alternative. The chip is able to process trades at 740 nanoseconds. To give that some context, one nanosecond is a billionth of a second.

For the next year, the company's priority is expanding into the US and Far East, and Hughes is feeling confident. "To succeed in the technology sector, you need to understand your product, listen to your customers and know what you're up against," he says. "If you do all of that, and get your price point right, then you will continue to grow even in the toughest economic climate."