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Eurex, Europe’s largest derivatives exchange, will name Dutch banker Robbert Booij as its new chief executive, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.
Booij is currently chief executive for Europe at ABN Amro Clearing Bank, a division of the Dutch bank that connects trading firms and hedge funds with exchanges such as Eurex. An announcement could come as soon as Wednesday, the people said.
The appointment of Dutchman Booij reflects how Eurex, which is owned by Deutsche Börse, has tried to position itself as Europe’s leading derivatives exchange and an EU-based alternative to rival London Stock Exchange Group, sources said.
Booij is a well-known executive among the banks and proprietary traders who account for the majority of trading on Eurex’s market.
Since Brexit, Eurex has sought to capture market share from London, especially in the business of derivatives clearing, where the company stands between trading counterparties and guarantees that they will deliver the cash they owe.
Booij has worked at ABN Amro Clearing Bank since 2011 and was previously chair of Eurex’s exchange council, according to his LinkedIn profile. Eurex declined to comment.
Eurex has been led since July 2020 by Michael Peters, who will retire, according to a person familiar with the matter. Eurex declined to comment.
Owned by German exchange group Deutsche Börse, Eurex offers trading in products including interest rate, equity and crypto derivatives. In particular, the German exchange competes with LSEG’s LCH to clear interest rate swaps, which have become increasingly politicised since the UK voted to leave the EU.
EU politicians have increasingly sought to wrestle market share in clearing away from London to their own shores, citing systemic risks if they cannot oversee the euro derivatives market.
Average daily clearing volumes at Eurex hit €185bn last year, up 10 per cent from the year before.
