The Headhunter

Baikal Dark Pool Project Could Evolve Into A Liqudity Hub

Ivy Schmerken, Editor-at-Large, CMP Media/Wall Street & Technology, writes that Lehman and London Stock Exchange Seek to Form Market Utility.

Her article cites Adam Toms, Managing Director and head of European electronic and portfolio trading at Lehman Brothers who says that Baikal is different from other venues — known as multilateral trading facilities or MTFs — is that it's going to be a subsidiary of the LSE Group and will draw upon existing technologies..(and) is on track to launch in the first quarter of '09".

Ivy also references Kevin McPartland, senior analyst at Tabb Group who feels that with all the new venues including Turquoise (launch date 5th September), BATS Europe (launch date 1st November) and Nasdaq OMX, (launch date September 2008, subject to FSA approval), there is concern on the buy-side that Europe is in danger of fragmenting order flow.

Independent dark pools include Instinet, ITG, Liquidnet, Nyfix Millenium, Pipeline Trading Systems, Pulse Trading.

Account Managers - London - Connectivity and Order Management

Our client is a global corporation with offices in every major financial centre.

We are building a team of Account Managers with experience of selling solutions to buy-side and sell-side firms, based in London. You will have very good business contacts in this sector and you will have a strong track record of building revenues in financial institutions. You will enjoy up-selling into an existing client base.

Our client sells connectivity and order management solutions. You will be given full training so, you will not necessarily need direct experience of this area of financial markets, although you will have evidence of successfully selling into this industry.

For more information, contact Aine Hall.

Our client is a global corporation with offices in every major financial centre.

We are building a team of Account Managers with experience of selling solutions to buy-side and sell-side firms, based in London. You will have very good business contacts in this sector and you will have a strong track record of building revenues in financial institutions. You will enjoy up-selling into an existing client base.

Our client sells connectivity and order management solutions. You will be given full training so, you will not necessarily need direct experience of this area of financial markets, although you will have evidence of successfully selling into this industry.

For more information, contact Aine Hall.

Reuters Headline: Merrill May Get $5 billion for Bloomberg Stake

A Reuters' report this morning says a blind trust run by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is willing to pay between $4.5 billion and $5 billion to buy Merrill Lynch & Co's 20 percent stake in financial news and data provider Bloomberg LP.

The article goes on to say that discussions are still under way, and a deal could fall apart as Merrill aims to sell its minority stake in the privately held company ahead of its second-quarter earnings call set for July 17.

Commercial Product Manager - Market Data Vendor - based London

Our client is a young international business with a suite of products that are developed around innovative investment banking data and solutions. They have demonstrated huge revenue growth over the past 2 years and have ambitious plans for future growth.

We seek a commercial Product Manager to manage the full product life cycle. This starts by understanding and collating client and business needs and ends with full product delivery and ownership.

You will have very good commercial skills and will work closely with internal and external teams. You will have excellent client facing skills. This will include extensive liaison with senior management and sales teams as well as building strong client relationships. You will have very good project, documentation and training skills.

This role will suit candidates who enjoy being involved with product strategy and would like the opportunity to be innovative and really make a difference in a small team.

To discuss this role, contact Aine Hall.

Senior Fund Analyst - based Zurich

Our client, a leading global provider of investment research, is building their fund research business in Europe.

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about investing and helping individuals and their advisers make better investment decisions. Our client expects analysts to develop clear opinions on funds based on research that goes beyond mere performance and risk evaluation.  To research funds thoroughly, our client's analysts interview portfolio managers, undertake quantitative analyses using databases and monitor regulatory and media information. Analysts build expertise on specific fund houses, the fund industry and various economic sectors. The Senior Fund Analyst will be expected to write investment opinions, help shape methodologies, conduct research studies, make media appearances and represent our client at speaking engagements.

Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary for this role. Fund Manager interviews are undertaken in Swiss German so, fluency in this language is essential. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of fund analysis or related experience in the Swiss market. Quantitative skills and additional professional certifications such as the CFA designation are a plus.

For more information, please contact Aine Hall.