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Calls made to Hart regarding on her next position have not been returned. However, Hart spoke to Reuters on Monday, where she says her future plans were "up in the air," declining to comment further.

Spokespeople for Dow Jones say that the restructuring will not involve any layoffs among Dow Jones' 6,000 plus employees.

Great news Bo. Combining a compelling blog with the outreach of a news organisation like Finextra does offer results.

The page views are impressive because of the extensive community Finextra journalists have created. Readers and viewers come for the news, PR, research, videos, events and, of course, the blogs.

As you have pointed out a blog on its own doesn't entice as many readers as a blog that is part of (I should really say 'central' to) a wider community - which in our case is the global financial technology industry.

Thank you for your continued contribution to Finextra. Happy New Year.

Ah, the last annoucement before Christmas. However, this was widely expected. The LSE seem to be putting all their eggs in one dark basket. Interesting to see what 2010 will hold for Europe if the US require dark pools to report to the tape in real-time.

Swift tweeted about this today as well, claiming that "96% of 2009's participants recommend that you attend next year: http://tinyurl.com/ycc5zbn."

Hmmmmm...?

I've updated my status. Thanks Dirk!

I've seen some slackers in the web team run off for a beer, do you want me to chase them down for you Dirk?

Just ask, and I will do.

Having just attended a 'women's lunch' in the City this week, I thought I should comment.

The lunch was filled with women at various levels of senority at market data vendors and investment banks. Not one person sat around and said "oh woe is me, what is wrong with us" it was just a nice lunch, with wine and chat.

The fact of the matter is women are outnumbered in financial services, having a women-orienated event makes it easier to build networks and foster relationships - simply because you can spot each other at 'gender-neutral' events.

Women need to stop over-analysing everything. A women's lunch with wine and chat is just that, wine and chat. Those on both sides of the gender fence who feel women getting together at a set time and place is counter-productive need to grow up.

Unfortunatly, not surprising. The MTF/dark pool venue consolidations will continue. Looks like SmartPool will come out on top.

"My broker had only the sketchiest knowledge of what best execution really meant..."

I am intrigued that you were surprised by this, Steve. Never mind the retail sector, who does have a firm understanding of what 'best execution' really means? The architects of Mifid plainly didn't have a clue.

As for the average retail investor, (going back to an earlier point you made about the 'comfort' of the primary exchange) how does a broker explain why you didn't get the price from the LSE?

I shop in John Lewis, not Bob's Market* in Catford (even if those clothes were both made in the same sweatshop in Vietnam).

*apologise to any real Bob's Markets, I am sure you serve the good people of Catford very well.

Quelle surprise!