Only two years ago, at the height of the internet boom, analysts were questioning whether the era of the traditional brokerage was over. Voice-based brokers, using electronic screens as a support rather than a front-line dealing mechanism, were assailed on all sides by the explosive growth of electronic trading platforms.

But as the energy trading industry goes back to basics, Robert Ryneveld, president of energy broker Starsupply, feels brokers have a crucial role to play in restoring faith