UNX, a leading provider of innovative trading technology solutions, has appointed Thomas Kim as Chief Executive Officer.
It also has secured funding from Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Vernon & Park Capital along with some of its current investors.*
The new funding will support the enhancement of UNX's broker-neutral electronic trading products and services, including its Catalyst® Portal and Execution Management System (EMS). It will also fuel continued development of the firm's open technology platform, which allows for seamless integration between the buy side and sell side.
Mr. Kim, a veteran in electronic trading, most recently served as a Managing Director at Lehman Brothers and head of the Townsend Analytics trading services business (providers of the "RealTick" trading platform). Prior to that, he was the Chief Operating Officer of TradingScreen Inc., an EMS provider.
"The US Equity markets have undergone significant changes in the last 18 months, which has created tremendous opportunities for an open and flexible technology trading solution such as the Catalyst EMS," comments Mr. Kim. "The dynamic nature of our technology means that UNX can provide nimble, customizable and meaningful solutions that will change the global EMS landscape. I am honored to join the UNX team, and am eager to work with UNX's clients and partners during this exciting period of evolution," Mr. Kim adds.
"UNX has experience in delivering innovative technology within the capital markets and continues to be a leader in providing broker-neutral products and services that complement the offerings of each broker-dealer," affirms Rishi Nangalia of Goldman Sachs Electronic Trading.
"The electronic trading marketplace is undergoing material transformation that demands new technologies that can keep pace with the rapid speed of market evolution," states Steve Brodsky, Managing Director of Vernon & Park Capital. "We are extremely enthusiastic about Catalyst, as it aims to redefine workflow between the buy side and the sell side in an opepen and cooperatiive manner. We are delighted to have Thomas on board to lead the company into a new period of growth and global expansion," he adds.
UBS Investment Bank, another strategic partner in UNX, is equally enthusiastic about the next wave of UNX's evolution. Charlie Susi, Americas Head of Direct Execution for UBS Investment Bank, states, "UNX's multi-broker platform provides trading clients with seamless access to a variety of execution management and analytical tools, while reducing the technology footprint on their desktops. Their open technology allows their broker partners to quickly integrate and deliver unique, differentiated offerings - giving the sell side greater efficiency, and the buy side greater speed and choice."
*Financial Technology Partners LP and FTP Securities LLC acted as financial advisors