“Our longstanding focus on applying technology to enhance financial markets aligns perfectly with Plato’s mission. We look forward to collaborating with Turquoise and the buy and sell side members of the Plato group to develop solutions to the industry’s most challenging issues.”
Plato Partnership has welcomed Liquidnet as its first Strategic Partner. This strategic collaboration marks a significant step forward in Plato’s mission to foster creative solutions and improve equity market structure.
The not-for-profit members’ organization comprises asset managers and broker-dealers dedicated to enhancing efficiency and innovation in the equity marketplace.
Market structure, execution lifecycle, and block trading
Liquidnet, renowned for its technology-driven, agency execution expertise, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in capital markets to the Partnership. Leveraging its unique perspective, Liquidnet will play a central role in influencing and guiding Plato’s initiatives aimed at transforming the landscape of capital markets.
As a Strategic Partner, Liquidnet will actively participate in three of Plato’s core initiatives:
Plato Strategic Initiatives Group: This initiative seeks to identify key issues and opportunities for enhancing equity market structure. Working in conjunction with industry stakeholders, the group develops a range of solutions designed to benefit all market participants.
Plato’s Market Innovator (MI3) Programme: This program focuses on identifying critical challenges within the marketplace and sponsors independent academic research to address them. Key objectives include finding better ways to execute trades, reducing costs, and enhancing the quality of processes related to the execution lifecycle.
Turquoise Plato Expert Group: Committed to delivering market model enhancements, this group aims to improve equity block liquidity and drive greater efficiencies in anonymous equity block trading.
Developing solutions to the industry’s most challenging issues
Chris Jackson, Global Head of Equity Strategy and Head of EMEA Equities at Liquidnet, said: “At Liquidnet, we are strong supporters of Plato’s work in helping the investment community navigate the evolving markets. Our longstanding focus on applying technology to enhance financial markets aligns perfectly with Plato’s mission. We look forward to collaborating with Turquoise and the buy and sell side members of the Plato group to develop solutions to the industry’s most challenging issues.”
Mike Bellaro, CEO of Plato Partnership, commented: “Plato is dedicated to innovation, and Liquidnet’s inclusion as a Strategic Partner represents a major innovation for our organization. As the first electronic liquidity specialist (ELS) to join, Chris and the Liquidnet team bring a truly unique perspective to the marketplace with significant untapped potential. We are excited to leverage their extensive expertise and strategic insights to drive our initiatives forward.”
Christoph Hock, Head of Multi-Asset Trading at Union Investment and Buy Side Chair of Plato Partnership, added: “By inviting Liquidnet to join the Partnership, Plato takes a significant step toward fostering innovation and addressing pressing challenges within the equity landscape. Liquidnet’s expertise and perspective will enrich our efforts to enhance market efficiency and drive transformative initiatives for the benefit of all market participants.”
Salvador Rodriguez, EMEA Head of Global Execution Services at Instinet and Sell Side Chair of Plato Partnership, said: “The admission of Liquidnet is a major step forward for Plato, given the critical challenges we currently face in the marketplace. I eagerly anticipate the practical solutions that will emerge from Liquidnet’s participation, which will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the next phase of Plato’s journey.”
The partnership between Plato and Liquidnet promises to bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and practical solutions to the evolving landscape of equity markets, benefiting investors and industry participants alike.
