ED&F Man, the London commodities brokerage that split from Man Group in 2000, has hired the former operating chief of collapsed futures broker MF Global as the firm looks to grow its trading team with further hires from its one-time parent.

Chris Smith, formerly MF Global's chief operating officer and head of risk, credit and IT until 2008, has joined the privately-held firm in an unspecified role, with more senior derivatives traders from the collapsed broker expected to join him, according to people familiar with the matter.