Hristo Vounakis, known as 'Mr. Brexit' and Mizuho's head of credit trading in Europe, has departed the Japanese bank. His exit comes after an extended eight-month period of sick leave, followed by his return to the desk and subsequent dismissal. While Mizuho confirmed his exit, the bank declined to provide further details regarding the circumstances of his departure. Vounakis himself did not respond to requests for comment on his disappearance. It's speculated that he may be pursuing an opportunity overseas, with indications he has a home in Crete but lives in London.
Vounakis joined Mizuho in 2019 as head of corporate credit trading, having previously worked at RBS and Lloyds. He was promoted to head of flow credit trading in 2022. He was considered one of the credit desk's highest producers, alongside Hardeep Bariana, who was made co-head in 2024 and remains at the bank. The pattern of long absences followed by departures is not unprecedented at Mizuho's credit desk, as former head of credit trading, Claus Jorgensen, reportedly followed a similar trajectory four years prior.
This departure is the latest in a series of exits from Mizuho's credit desk. Other recent departures include Davide Ceruti and Bader Barghoti, both of whom have moved to SMBC. The reasons for these movements are not explicitly stated, but they signal changes within Mizuho's credit trading operations. The reference to 'Mr. Brexit' for Vounakis suggests he may have been associated with, or outspoken about, the UK's departure from the European Union, though the article does not provide specifics on this moniker's origin or significance.
