Gabe Sanders, who leads Business Development for Point72’s Global Macro business in Europe and Asia, joined us to talk about building investment teams, his journey from Mexico to Paris to London, and his love of barbeque.
Tell us about your role at Point72.
I work on Business Development (BD) for our Global Macro business in Europe and Asia and get the opportunity to work closely with our U.S. colleagues when opportunities span regions. My focus is on finding outstanding Portfolio Managers and building teams around them to give them a strong platform. It’s rewarding to help talented investors establish and build their business here.
How did you get started in finance?
I was born and raised in Mexico City and attended an American school. After studying Finance at Tecnológico de Monterrey, I decided I wanted a more adventurous path. I had already learned French, so I applied to HEC Paris and earned a master’s in Management with a major in Economics.
From there, I joined the global markets graduate program at Citi in London, where I spent 12 years before moving to BNP Paribas.
How did your career evolve from there?
After graduating, I worked my way up to the most senior level in that area. It felt like I was a driver in a Formula One car – every race was high stakes, and I was pushing to do my best. After 12 years, I realized I wanted a different vantage point. I was ready to move from the driver’s seat to the pit crew, supporting other talented investors, helping them win their races, and making sure the whole team moves forward together. That’s what ultimately drew me to BD.
How did you get introduced to Point72?
It was serendipitous. I had been telling people in my network – over coffees and beers – “This is the job I want to do: business development. If you hear anything, I’m your guy.”
Around that time, Point72’s Global Macro leadership in London mentioned they were looking for someone with an interest rates sales background for BD. A colleague connected the dots and here I am over three years later!
Tell us more about how your background has shaped your approach to searching for talent.
I’m fortunate to have a lot of autonomy in my role and an incredibly supportive team behind me. Ultimately, I’m looking for people whose skills and strategies will strengthen our business and add new perspectives to the team.
My approach really draws on three things. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the products – I’ve covered options, swaps, derivatives, bonds, etc. – which helps me really understand the markets our Portfolio Managers operate in. I’ve also worked through different cycles, seeing interest rates rise and fall, navigating crashes and crises, and adapting to shifting policy environments. Lastly, having covered hedge funds throughout my career, I’ve built strong relationships that not only keep me connected to talent but also open doors to new introductions.
What do you think makes Point72 different?
For me, the biggest selling point of the firm is that collaboration here is real – colleagues generously share ideas, and we create space for those conversations. In Macro, investors trade various products such as linear rates, FX volatility, and emerging markets. These strategies only overlap a little, but when you put smart people with different approaches in one room, you end up with new ideas that help everyone think about the bigger picture.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
Golf is my passion, and I love playing with my kids to combine family time with the game.
I also host a lot of barbeques at home — sometimes for friends, sometimes for colleagues. I’m not a Michelin-star chef, but I can do a mean steak and love slow-cooking pulled pork, brisket, and short ribs. The menu changes with the season — lamb at Easter, goose in autumn, smoked turkey at Christmas — and I enjoy experimenting with different cuts from all over the world.