Martin Abbott, the former chief executive of the London Metal Exchange, collected the personal contribution of the year accolade at Financial News’ Awards for Excellence in Trading & Technology, Europe 2013.

Having spent nearly seven years at the helm of the world's largest metals market, Abbott stepped down from his role last week. He is credited by metals practitioners with modernising the exchange and securing its subsequent sale to Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing for more than $2 billion last December.