Mark Hemsley, Cboe Europe
Cboe Global Markets has confirmed that its executive vice president and Cboe Europe president, Mark Hemsley, will retire from the company in February next year.
The exchange operator announced that David Howson, chief operating officer at Cboe Europe since 2013, will succeed Hemsley as executive vice president of Cboe Global Markets and president of Cboe Europe as of January 2020.
Hemsley was a founding employee of Bats Europe 2008 and played a strategic role in the acquisition and integration of Chi-X Europe in 2011. Bats was then acquired by Cboe Global Markets in 2017 for $3.4 billion. Prior to Bats, Hemsley served as chief information officer and managing director of LIFFE overseeing its markets solutions business.
“Announcing my retirement is bittersweet as the last 11 years have been the most rewarding of my career. I am proud to have worked with an outstanding team to help bring competition and innovation to European capital markets,” said Hemsley.
“Under David’s leadership, Cboe Europe is well-poised to continue this track record of success. During his tenure at Cboe Europe, he has helped successfully guide Cboe Europe’s strategy and vision, delivered on the execution of many successful product launches and technology initiatives and built a strong team and culture. While I am looking forward to my retirement and spending more time with my wife and family, I will continue to closely follow the success of this great team and company.”
Ed Tilly, chairman and CEO of Cboe Global Markets, added that Hemsley’s passion for fair and efficient markets, drive to deploy new trading technologies and approachable leadership style, has helped create a culture of success at Cboe Europe.
Hemsley’s successor, Howson, joined Cboe in 2017 as part of the Bats acquisition. He has helped drive and oversee various projects at the exchange, including the launch of Cboe LIS, Cboe Periodic Auctions and BXTR.
“David’s appointment reflects a long-established succession plan, and he is ready to lead Cboe Europe,” Tilly added. “He has spearheaded the development and execution of some of our most innovative product offerings, is well-respected by our clients and trading community, and is a strong leader with sound judgement. The future of Cboe Europe is bright with David at the helm.”