World First
World First UK Limited is a UK-based foreign exchange company. It is headquartered in Battersea, London and has offices in Australia, New Zealand and North America. It offers currency exchange and international payments to private clients and corporate clients. It was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise (International Trade) 2009 and was shortlisted for "Service Business of the Year" in the Fast Growth Business Awards .
It provides a free exchange rate currency converter on its website.
Its SWIFT code is WFSTGB2L.
It is currently the 6th largest currency broker in the UK. Its turnover in 2008 was over $1.25 billion.
UK Foreign Exchange Brokers (largest 10):
No. |
Company |
Accounting Date |
Pre Tax Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Travelex |
Various |
£unknown |
2 |
TTT Moneycorp Ltd |
31 August 2008 |
£10,516,829 |
3 |
HIFX plc |
30 June 2008 |
£3,368,000 |
4 |
Currencies Direct |
30 April 2008 |
£3,132,000 |
5 |
Foreign Currency Direct plc |
31 October 2008 |
£2,524,937 |
6 |
World First UK Ltd |
31 January 2009 |
£1,752,225 |
7 |
Global Currency Exchange Network |
31 March 2008 |
£1,296,703 |
8 |
No1 Currency Ltd |
31 March 2008 |
£1,119,472 |
9 |
Currency Solutions |
31 December 2007 |
£451,166 |
10 |
Caxton FX Ltd |
28 February 2008 |
£144,850 |
In April 2008, World First (through its subsidiary World First Markets Ltd—FSA reference number 477561) became the first UK currency broker to offer option and derivative hedging structures. These risk-reducing structures allow clients to protect themselves against exchange rates worsening while benefiting if the rate improves.
Sir David Clementi is a shareholder and senior advisor.