Liquidnet, the global institutional trading network, today announced the launch of Execution & Quantitative Services (EQS), a global group headed up by Rob Laible, who joined the company earlier this year. Liquidnet is seizing on an opportunity to provide its network – which includes more than 770 of the world’s leading asset managers – with new and more efficient ways to optimally source diverse liquidity and satisfy best execution objectives. Through cutting-edge technology, a continued focus on block executions and an expanded offering that includes trade advisory and execution solutions, Liquidnet is helping to remove barriers to liquidity and more efficiently manage factors that impact performance. 

“Algorithms and execution strategies are only as good as the liquidity they can access. Our established suite of algorithmic, analytic and quantitative products and services are the only ones that leverage Liquidnet’s deep and diverse pool of institutional liquidity. And as an unconflicted, agency-only broker with expertise in lit, dark, and block markets, we consult with Members and clients on ways to access liquidity, navigate market complexities, and  access comprehensive analytics, all through an integrated trading platform,” commented Laible. “Our focus in 2015 will be to expand the offering to all the markets where we operate while also delivering the next generation of execution services and quantitative trading strategies to our community.”

Expanding the EQS Team

Liquidnet has added to its cross-functional EQS team with three new hires who will report to Laible and help to further expand Liquidnet’s offering. This includes designing, implementing, and customizing Liquidnet’s suite of execution algorithms and analytics while also providing quantitative research and market microstructure insight.  The new EQS team members, all based in New York, include:

• Scott Kartinen joined Liquidnet as Head of Algo Development. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in quantitative equity portfolio construction, trading analytics and algorithmic trade execution to this role. Scott joins Liquidnet from UBS Securities where he was Executive Director of Algorithmic Trading. Prior to that, he worked at ITG as Managing Director for Algorithmic Trading Product Management.

• Roberto Malamut joined Liquidnet as Head of Quantitative Research. He brings 15 years of experience in algorithmic modeling, forecasting and trading to his role. Prior to joining Liquidnet, Roberto was a Quantitative Analyst and Designer of Intraday Trading Strategies at Agoge Capital. He also worked at Tower Research Capital, SAC Capital and JPMorgan Chase in a variety of algorithmic trading roles.

• Amar Vaidya joined Liquidnet to help build out Liquidnet’s suite of algorithms and further enhance SOR strategies for Liquidnet’s members. Amar joins from Shuban Capital where he co-founded a quant fund for equity trading in the US markets.  Prior to that, he held product manager roles at Nomura Securities and ITG.

“Our Members and clients look to us to provide unique and innovative solutions, advice, and thought leadership that leverage our technology and are grounded in academic research and rigor. These key additions to our team will accelerate the unique competitive advantages we can provide to our Members around the globe,” continued Laible.