By Mark Doig
SINCE being diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease in 2012, derivatives expert David Setters has dedicated his life to raising awareness and funding for research into finding a cure.
As part of his work, Setters, from Surrey, created City against MND in conjunction with the MND Association and is involved with other fund-raising activities, such as participating in nationwide events like March of the Day in which former professional sportsmen walk side-by-side with members of the public between football grounds (and Rugby League grounds for the first time this year).
In 2017, London-based INTL FCStone executive Nick Spencer Skeen approached ION’s Keith Todd with a proposal to organise a cricket tournament between teams in the industry competing for the David Setters Trophy. The inaugural tournament took place on June 13, 2017 at the Honourable Artillery Company in the City of London, and featured teams ION and Intl FCStone, plus sides from London Metal Exchange (LME) and Futures Industry Association (FIA). LME were the victors on the day.
Now played at Blackheath Cricket Club, last year saw the funds raised exceed £200,000 since the tournament’s start.
Six teams entered the six-a-side 2026 day. LME and StoneX (formerly INTL FC Stone) contested the final with LME the victors.
The other sides competing were holders Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), KRM22, Trading Technologies and, for the first time, Lunaro. Sponsorship was also provided by Broadbridge Financial Services and OSTTRA. A total of £28,000 was raised over the day with an auction, raffle and bucket collection supplementing the sponsors’ contributions.
Split into two leagues of three, the top two of each group played semi-finals, while the bottom two contested the wooden spoon. After nine games of five overs per innings, the only two teams who have played every year met in the final, with LME claiming the spoils.
Speeches were made mid-afternoon with David Setters and Jemeen Sreedharan from the UK MND Research Institute outlining the strides that are being made to combat the awful disease, and the importance of collecting funding for the cause. David Pakeman, a former president of Surrey County Cricket Club, then spoke about losing his daughter to MND just over a year ago, and that he wanted to help the day to be even bigger by hosting the tenth event at The Oval in September 2027 after the Ashes.
Days like this don’t happen on their own, and KRM22’s Dan Carter works tirelessly, assisted by his colleagues Billy Murray and Jamie Massett. The success of the day was testament to their endeavours and they will be relishing next year’s challenges.
