Aquis Exchange consists of two divisions, one operates a pan-European cash equities trading exchange (Aquis Exchange), which uniquely uses the subscription pricing model, and the other arm develops and licenses exchange software to third parties (Aquis Technologies).

Aquis Technologies creates and licenses a cost-effective matching engine and market surveillance technology for banks, brokers, investment firms and exchanges, as well as single dealer platforms for the growing Systematic Internaliser market segment. In Europe there is particular demand for compliance and surveillance systems as existing Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) rules and in-coming MiFID II regulations mandate that trading firms of all types must have systems in place to monitor and analyse their order flow and transactions in order to detect actual, and attempted, market abuse as well as fulfil Best Execution criteria.

Ip, who joined Aquis in late September 2017, is a veteran financial services manager having spent five years in that function at Thomson Reuters. Prior to that, Ip held a number of client service and product development roles at Horizon Software and Actant Ltd.

At Aquis, Ip will be responsible for co-ordinating internal projects such as development of new order types for the Aquis MTF and delivery of matching engines, single dealer platforms and surveillance systems to third parties. He will report to Aquis Exchange COO, Jonathan Clelland.

Commenting on the appointment, Jonathan Clelland, COO of Aquis Exchange, said: “As both Aquis’ business lines grow and the number and scope of our internal and external projects continues to multiply, we felt it was necessary to bring on board a highly experienced product manager of Adrian’s calibre to ensure our products continue to be state-of-the-art and our service levels remain of the highest level possible.”

Ip added: “I am very excited to have joined such an innovative company at a crucial time in both its own development and during a period of important changes in market structure. MiFID II and other regulatory initiatives represent an important step change to the trading landscape and high liquidity, low toxicity lit venues have to be the future of the industry. I will draw on my experience in both hands-on product development and account management to help drive the Aquis brand forward.”