Peter Randall is to take over as chief executive officer of electronic exchange venue Equiduct, just eight months after stepping down as chief of rival Chi-X Europe for "personal family reasons".
An industry veteran with more than 20 years experience, Randall was widely credited with leading the fledgling Chi-X Europe platform to a commanding position in the post-MiFID marketplace against powerful incumbent national exchanges.
News of his departure from the CEO seat at Chi-X Europe in February coincided with a shift in the ownership structure to accommodate new stakeholders alongside Nomura-owned Instinet. Chi-X insiders were at pains to point out that Randall was stepping down for "personal, family reasons" and would continue to act in a consultative capacity.
Earlier this month, Chi-X Europe confirmed the appointment of Alasdair Haynes as CEO, taking over from interim chief Mark Howarth.
Randall will face a stern test at Citadel Securities and Börse Berlin-owned Equiduct, which has struggled to find a niche among competing MTFs in the crowded exchange-trading space in Europe. More recently, the company has moved to target the retail market and provide a high capacity, low-latency electronic order book service for wholesale providers.
Says Randall: "I joined Equiduct because it offers a unique blend of service and technology, with a focus on the retail market. I strongly believe that by developing partnership opportunities with leading market participants and liquidity providers, Equiduct will be able to offer first class execution services within a profitable business model."