Millennium to rehire macro manager from Balyasny

Millennium Management is preparing to rehire James Watson, a senior macro portfolio manager who recently departed Balyasny Asset Management in London, according to people familiar with the matter.

Watson joined Balyasny in September 2024 after almost seven years at Millennium. During his earlier tenure, he is understood to have managed a trading team of more than 20 people.

Watson later formed a smaller team at Balyasny. Its current status is unclear, although several members are understood to have left the firm.

Aditya Singh and George Tyrell, who joined Balyasny from Goldman Sachs in 2024, left in July, according to the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s register. Olek Gajowniczek, formerly of Nomura, has also been linked to Watson’s team.

John Sun, a Balyasny employee based in New York, could separately be preparing to join Millennium, according to the people familiar with the situation. The timing and terms of the reported hires were not disclosed.

Millennium and Balyasny did not comment on the reported moves. Watson did not respond to a request for comment.