Two former equity trading executives from bulge-bracket brokers are to head specialist Asian agency broker and technology provider Tora Trading’s newly-formed liquidity services business.
Rob Santos was previously executive director at Morgan Stanley where he served as head of sales trading for non-Japan Asia equity. Khahlil Kirtman was formerly head of Goldman Sachs’ international sales trading desk in Japan.
The two will head a new liquidity services division within Tora’s expanded trading group. The new business will leverage Tora’s existing portfolio of products including its TORA Compass EMS/OMS, its TORA Alpha suite of algorithmic trading strategies and TORA Clearpool, the firm’s proprietary electronic over-the-counter marketplace.
Santos will focus on pan-Asian markets, while Khahlil Kirtman will concentrate on Japan. “Both Rob Santos and Khahlil Kirtman are highly experienced trading professionals whose deep Asia expertise and client relationships will greatly complement our existing business. With the addition of this team to our current trading operations, we will be able to expand our footprint and better serve both long-only and hedge fund clients,” said Robert Dykes, Tora’s CEO. “Rob’s experience in pan-Asian markets combined with Khahlil’s knowledge of Japan is a perfect combination to assist clients no matter which markets they trade. I look forward to working with the team as we continue to grow our liquidity services group.”