Liquidnet has released a multi-asset services offering, in response to member demand. Balraj Briah has been appointed head of the division.
The services provide access to multi-asset liquidity along with bespoke trading tools and analytics, all through a single desk. This will help to enhance decision-making processes, Liquidnet stated, and will support buy-side firms as they seek to improve efficiency.
Chris Jackson, global head of equity strategy and head of equities EMEA at Liquidnet, observed: “We continue to see subtle yet significant changes in the structure of the markets. As the asset management industry evolves, we see our members taking a broader view of the capital markets environment – many are diversifying by asset type, creating new opportunities to outperform for their clients. The launch of our multi-asset services desk is a natural next step in this evolution.”
Briah, who will lead the new division, has 25 years of industry experience and joins Liquidnet from BTIG, where he has been managing director since 2017. Earlier in his career, he spent six years at Citi in a number of sales trading roles.
On the new offering, he commented: “Technology is improving, allowing asset managers to consolidate the execution function across assets into single desks. This presents both opportunities and challenges for the asset management industry. For traders, it is the chance to learn new skills, increase their value within the organisation as well as rationalise technology and reduce cost.
“However, for heads of desk, this move to multi-asset creates a number of challenges around best execution, training staff, technology and liquidity. There is a role Liquidnet can play to help the buy side execute efficiency in this space and I’m excited by the opportunities ahead.”
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