Simon Steward has been appointed buy-side chair of not-for-profit member organisation for the equity marketplace, Plato Partnership, replacing Christoph Hock, head of multi-asset trading at Union Investments.
Steward, director and European head of equity trading at Capital Group, has been a member of the Plato board for three years and has more than 24 years of experience within capital markets which he is set to leverage in this new role.
Speaking about his new role, Steward said: “I am honoured to join Plato Partnership as the buy-side chair and work alongside our dedicated members. I am committed to building upon the strong foundation laid by Christoph and the team in driving innovation for our industry.”
Hock’s departure is linked to his recent career change, revealed by The TRADE earlier this year. He is set to step away from his role to pursue an opportunity in digital asset and tokenisation within the asset management firm, focused on: token economy, digital assets, and data science.
Mike Bellaro, chief executive of Plato Partnership thanked Hock for his dedication during his tenure, stating: “Christoph has been an invaluable asset to Plato Partnership for the past five years. His advice, guidance, and vision have left an indelible mark on our organisation.
“[…] As we welcome Simon Steward, we are excited about the fresh perspectives and wealth of experience he brings to the Plato project. With his extensive expertise in capital markets, Simon is well-equipped to guide our collaborative efforts in our ongoing mission to foster innovation and efficiency for market participants.”
In August, Plato Partnership added Liquidnet as an inaugural strategic partner, set to play a crucial role in shaping and informing Plato’s initiatives within capital markets, according to the organisation.