TransAtlantic exchange Nyse Euronext has signalled the critical importance of technology to its global business operations by appointing IBM salaryman Dominique Cerutti as the successor to deputy chief executive Jean-François Théodore.
Cerutti will pick up the reigns from Théodore at the end of the year and will also assume the mantle of global head of technology. Stanley Young, the current head of Nyse Technologies, will report to Cerutti, who in turn will be answerable to Nyse Euronext CEO Duncan Niederauer.
Cerutti, a French national who currently serves as general manager of IBM Southwest Europe, will work out of the Exchange's European headquarters in Paris, where he will oversee global technology/IT and will assume responsibility for business operations, customer relations and competitive position in Europe.
The appointment bows to the central role played by technology in the modern exchange-trading business. Nyse Euronext is currently investing vast sums in new datacentres and high performance trading engines as it bids to retain a leadership role in global stockmarkets.
Jan-Michiel Hessels, chairman of Nyse Euronext says Cerutti "will be instrumental in advancing our strategic vision and business transformation.
"His extensive experience in technology and management of a finance unit will prove especially beneficial for our customers, our market infrastructure initiatives, and our evolution as a technology enterprise in financial services."