Interview • Portraits • Testimonials • Members
"I truly believe that strong values built around self-discipline will never go out of style."
Ashley Boolell, founder of Ryuken Capital, discussed with us his transition from banking to entrepreneurship, the challenges of setting up a business in the UK, and offers insight for French professionals looking to establish themselves on the British market.
1. Hi Ashley, could you tell us more about your professional background? What led you to set up your business in the UK as a French professional?
I launched Ryuken Capital in 2024. It is, as described today, a consultancy and introducing broker focused on four business lines: forex, commodities, capital-raising and trade finance. Before that, I spent 11 years on the trading floors of Natixis as a commodities derivatives sales and 5 years at Shard Capital, where I oversaw the development of the forex and commodities business line.
I was born in Mauritius and moved to Paris to study, which is where my career began. Over time, I acquired French and later British citizenship, and have always evolved in cosmopolitan, fast-paced environments. For me, moving forward with a risk-taking mindset was never a problem—because, frankly, it was the only approach that ever delivered results. Setting up Ryuken Capital felt like a natural next step. Doing it in the UK was a matter of both timing and opportunity: everything was aligned, so I just did it.
2. What challenges did you face when moving to the UK, and how did you overcome them?
I suppose I should start with the weather? Actually no—it's a timeless cliché about the UK. More seriously, the biggest challenge has been adapting to circumstances with zero safety net. It’s not just professional; personal challenges can be far more testing. And in all cases, the right attitude is the knife edge between progress and stagnation.
Challenges are unique to everyone, so I wouldn’t claim mine are a model. But if I had to distil the experience: it’s about remaining consistent in the areas where I’ve deeply invested myself—business, writing (I’ve published seven books since 2013), martial arts, and the UK French community.
3. What’s on the horizon for the next year?
Ryuken Capital just marked its first anniversary in April 2025—a milestone I don’t take for granted. The next year is about building on that foundation. Have there been mistakes? Absolutely, many of them. But linear progression only exists in textbooks or pub conversations (depending on the number of beers).
Running a company is a responsibility you only fully understand when you’re in it. I compare it to training intensively in a sport—your performance reveals itself only after consistent, disciplined effort. This coming year, the focus is on strengthening our track record, securing key relationships, delivering on every deadline, and creating new opportunities for growth.
4. What advice would you give to a French entrepreneur looking to establish a business in the UK?
Make sure your values and self-discipline are in place—because both will be tested, constantly. Without real, unflinching discipline, you’ll lose whatever you’ve built. Jobs change. Countries change. Circumstances can become very unfavourable. But discipline stays with you and helps you rebuild, again and again, if you know what you’re doing. I truly believe that strong values built around self-discipline will never go out of style.
Also—get a very good and trustworthy accountant. I’ve been working with Adstrum Accountancy Services Ltd since the early days of Ryuken Capital, and their support has been nothing short of exceptional. Their precision, reliability, and financial insight have made a real difference in how I’ve been able to navigate key decisions. Having the right professionals in your corner—people who understand your business and can be counted on—is essential. Build that network early—and don’t hesitate to accept help when it comes.
5. What do you hope to gain from your French Chamber membership this year?
I joined the French Chamber because I saw three things they do exceptionally well:
• High-impact networking events
• Enhanced visibility for member companies
• Acting as a centrepiece for the UK French business community
I expect the Chamber to continue delivering on those fronts, and I look forward to deepening my engagement with fellow members—exploring collaboration opportunities and expanding my network within the broader French business ecosystem in the UK.
Ryuken Capital is a consulting firm and introducing broker founded by Ashley Boolell. The core client base is composed of Small and Medium Enterprises. Ryuken Capital covers four services: Forex Hedging, Trade Finance, Capital Raising and Commodities Hedging.