Liquidnet has made three new hires into its European Execution & Quantitative Services (EQS) team as it seeks to grow its execution offering across the region, The TRADE can reveal.
EQS advises Liquidnet’s buy-side members on topics including trade analytics, algorithmic strategies, and quantitative products and services.
Among the new hires is Prashanth Manoharan who has been named head of execution consulting, EMEA, set to focus on enhancing the firm’s core algorithmic trading offering, as well as assessing market microstructure and enhancing execution quality alongside Liquidnet’s members.
In addition, Manoharan will contribute to Liquidnet’s multi-asset analytic and execution consulting capabilities expansion.
He was most recently director of cash equities analytics at BNP Paribas and his appointment at Liquidnet forms part of a longer-term strategy for the firm to strengthen its algo trading offering, The TRADE understands.
Speaking to his new role, Manoharan said: “The opportunity to further enhance our algorithmic trading capabilities and collaborate with our members to optimise executive outcomes is a key focus.”
“As markets become more complex, it’s crucial that we continue pushing the boundaries to deliver innovative solutions that meet our clients’ needs. Liquidnet holds a unique position in championing the buy-side.”
Read more: Liquidnet to launch multi-asset trading desk
Oliver Ekers has also joined the team, as an execution trader, having most recently served in the same role – focused on Europe – at Instinet. At Liquidnet he will cover sales trading across both high-touch and algo trading.
The third new hire is Henry Baugniet. He joins as an execution analyst, leveraging his wealth of experience as a data scientist. Previously, Baugniet built a real-time trading strategy for the Betfair exchange.
Gareth Exton, head of execution and quantitative services, EMEA at Liquidnet, said: “As our members navigate a fragmented and complex liquidity landscape, they need a comprehensive service model from their agency partner to guide them […] Prashanth, Oliver, and Henry bring valuable expertise that will help us further enhance our service model, and I’m thrilled to welcome the to our growing team.”