In this newly created position, Hansen will spearhead Townsend's continuing efforts to provide best-of-breed data, news and analytic content to its customers. Townsend's customers include institutional money managers, hedge funds, proprietary trading desks, CTAs, FCMs, sell-side institutions, corporations, professional and retail traders, and independent research and content providers.

Leveraging Townsend's state-of-the-art data infrastructure, Content Services offerings include the industry-leading RealTick(R) platform (www.realtick.com), enterprise-level data feeds, historical data, and Application Programming Interface (API) tools for use with third-party applications. Townsend Content Services provides its distributors with the ability to integrate proprietary analytical and research content into RealTick to achieve customized, client-facing solutions. Townsend Content Services also offers a wide variety of infrastructure services to content providers who are looking to provide a unique real-time experience to their subscribers.

Hansen will also focus on developing third-party partnerships to aggregate unique content and global data, including that from markets in Asia, India, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Hansen brings a deep knowledge of global investment and trading management technologies to Townsend Analytics, having served in roles ranging from Head of Technology and Operations to Partner and Chief Operating Officer to management consultant for premier investment and financial companies. While at such leading firms as Schroder Investment Management, Barclays Bank Plc, Capco and Bankers Trust Co., and at investment companies in the Middle East, Hansen led "best practice" re-engineering programs responsible for nearly all facets of financial services including investment, trading, finance, operations, technology, and compliance functions.