CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, announced today it has appointed William Knottenbelt to lead its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions, effective in mid-November 2011.
Robert Ray, who previously led the company's international offices, will transition to a new role managing key strategic initiatives for CME Group in Europe and South America. Both Knottenbelt and Ray will be based in London and will report to Bryan Durkin, CME Group Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Products & Services.
"CME Group's business continues to grow during European and Asian trading hours, and we believe the best way to serve these clients is to develop regional products through a significant presence in EMEA. We are extremely pleased that both William and Bob will assist us in these efforts, using their deep market expertise and strong customer relationships to help us continue to meet the needs of key client segments throughout the region," said Durkin.
Knottenbelt, a 30-year veteran of the European financial services industry, will be responsible for developing customer relationships, core business growth and new business opportunities throughout the EMEA region. He served as Global Head of Futures for the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) between 2000 and 2010 where he built out the global reach and product offering of RBS futures. He most recently served as Global Head of Central Counterparty Clearing where he worked on developing the bank's over-the-counter clearing solutions. Knottenbelt held a number of leadership roles at RBS and its affiliates during the past 25 years, including Global head of Futures, FX and Interest rate derivatives prime brokerage. He began his career trading commodities at C Czarnikow commodity trading house. Knottenbelt served as an Executive board member at both the Futures Industry Association and the Futures Options Association.
Ray, also a 30-year veteran of the financial services industry, has been based in London as Managing Director, International Products & Services since 2009. He previously led CME Group's commodities and equities product lines and served as Senior Vice Pre President, Business Development for the Chicago Board of Trade. He also worked in senior trading and derivatives business development roles with Robertson Stephens Inc., Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Carr Futures and Continental Grain Company.