UK agency broker Execution has hired Ben Johnson as a member of Alternative Execution, its portfolio and electronic trading unit. He will work alongside Tony Nash, Execution’s head of execution services and Oliver Wilson, head of the portfolio sales trading desk.
Johnson, who has 12 years’ experience in financial services, was previously a member of the portfolio trading team at Dresdner Kleinwort Benson. Before joining Dresdner in 2003, Johnson was a sales trader on the portfolio trading desk at Merrill Lynch.
“Execution’s strong reputation in this space, as well as its global platform, were key factors in my decision to join the firm,” said Johnson in a statement. “I very much look forward to bringing Execution’s resources and its new electronic trading capabilities to clients around the globe and to working with Oliver and the team.”
Nash added, “[Johnson’s] appointment is part of our strategy in building out our portfolio trading franchise and extending our distribution.”
Execution launched its Alternative Execution platform in March this year. The platform was developed by Nash, who joined the firm in November 2008 from Lehman Brothers in the UK, where he was head of portfolio and electronic trading sales.
Execution launched in 2001 and provides agency execution and research to buy-side institutions – both long-only managers and hedge funds. It has offices in the UK, US and Hong Kong.