IG Group, the online trading company aimed at retail investors, celebrated its 40<sup>th birthday this week.

IG Index was originally founded in 1974 and allowed people to trade the price of gold as an index, rather than trading the commodity itself, and therefore let the person on the street to trade, rather than going through costly firms.

However, it has now broadened out CFDs, spread betting and stocks.

Amid the flurry of celebrations, IBTimes UK caught up with the chief financial officer Chris Hill in the heart of London to talk about why it launched the IG Rugby Kick Challenge with top England and Harlequins players and what is its recipe for success after global market ups and downs.