Hirander Misra, chief operating officer of Chi-X Europe, has quit the mutlilateral trading facility to "pursue other interests".
Misra's surprise resignation was reported by newswire Bloomberg, which quoted from a personal e-mail doing the rounds at Chi-X.
"Effective from Feb. 19, 2010, I have resigned from my role," Misra wrote. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with Chi-X Europe from inception through to the present day where it is now firmly established as a major pan-European trading venue. During that time I have had the pleasure of working with a very talented team and wish the firm all the best for the future."
His departure comes just two months after the appointment of Alasdair Haynes as Chi-X CEO, taking over from previous incumbent Peter Randall. Like Randall, Misra had been with Chi-X since inception helping to grow the business into a profitable entity and the second-largest execution venue by turnover in Europe.
In November last year, Misra told the Financial Times he would like to be considered for the top job, although reports were already circulating that Haynes, the former boss of of Investment Technology Group's international business, was being lined up as Randall's successor.
Chi-X has yet to comment.