EMEA News
Bunker Holding Shuts Down London Office of Brokerage LQM
Marine fuels conglomerate Bunker Holding has shut down the London office of its hybrid brokerage, LQM, and removed its CEO.
The brokerage as a whole "remains in a solid position," Bunker Holding told Ship & Bunker in an emailed statement Wednesday.
"The past year has brought both unforeseen and unprecedented challenges to the entire industry," Christoffer Lassen, chief commercial officer of Bunker Holding, said in the statement.
"To ensure we remain agile and keep a competitive edge, we are continuously scaling and optimising all aspects of our business.
"Consequently, we must know when it is the right time to scale down for some of our services and activities to ensure consistent overall growth."
Bunker Holding acquired LQM in 2015, hailing it at the time as one of the largest international marine fuel brokers, handling about 10 million mt/year of trades from more than 250 customers.
LQM opened the London office in 2019, hiring former OceanConnect Marine chief commercial officer Daniel Rose as CEO working from the new location. The company also has offices in Connecticut, Texas and Paris.
The company's US operation will now be 'its main pillar', Bunker Holding said. Jordan Felber, previously managing director in the Americas, will now manage the whole company.
LQM's website lists a team of five in its London office -- Rose, team leader Matthew Pilgrim, sales manager Neil Lamerton, junior broker/trader Alice Todd and client liaison executive Martin Bird.
