SIX Group,
Switzerland’s principal financial market infrastructure operator, has appointed
Bjørn Sibbern as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1,
2025, marking a leadership transition at one of Europe’s major exchange
operators.
SIX Names Exchanges Chief
Sibbern as CEO to Succeed Dijsselhof
Sibbern,
who currently serves as Global Head Exchanges and sits on SIX’s Group Executive
Board, will succeed Jos Dijsselhof, who is stepping down after a transformative
seven-year tenure to pursue opportunities in the Middle East. The Danish
executive brings more than two decades of capital markets experience, including
significant roles at Nasdaq, OMX Exchanges, and E*TRADE Bank Denmark.
“Since
joining SIX a year ago,
we have experienced Bjørn as a strong, highly motivated and proactive leader.
With his excellent track record, Bjørn has the necessary international
expertise and leadership qualities to further pursue and accelerate the growth
path of SIX,” said Thomas Wellauer, Chairman of SIX.
The
leadership change comes at a crucial time for SIX, which has undergone
significant transformation under Dijsselhof’s stewardship. Since 2018, the
company has executed several strategic moves, including the
sale of its cards business to Worldline and the acquisition
of the Spanish stock exchange BME, substantially expanding its international
footprint.
“Over
the past year as Global Head Exchanges, I’ve had the privilege of working
closely with an exceptional team and experiencing firsthand the opportunities
that lie ahead for SIX,” Sibbern commented. “I am excited to continue
collaborating with my colleagues on the Executive Board and across the entire
organization as we build on our successes and shape the future of our industry
together.”
Sibbern,
who holds multiple degrees from Copenhagen Business School, including an
Executive MBA, has been instrumental in overseeing SIX’s exchange operations
since early 2024.
To ensure a
smooth transition, Dijsselhof will remain with the company until the end of
February 2025. Under his leadership, SIX has not only grown geographically but
also embraced innovation, particularly through initiatives like the SIX Digital
Exchange (SDX).
“Over
the past seven years, he has strengthened the international footprint of SIX,
championed innovation such as SDX, and has been instrumental in transforming
and modernizing the corporate culture of SIX, thus positioning the company for
further success. We wish Jos all the best in his new endeavors,” added
Wellauer.
SIX to Buy London’s Aquis
Exchange
The
incoming CEO faces the challenge of building upon SIX’s market position while
navigating an increasingly competitive global exchange landscape. Especially,
the Swiss exchange has announced plans to
acquire London-based Aquis Exchange through a cash offer, valuing the
transaction at an enterprise value of £194 million.
The deal,
disclosed on Monday, involves a payment of 727 pence per share in cash to Aquis
shareholders, bringing the total valuation of Aquis’s issued and to-be-issued
share capital to approximately £207 million.
The
announcement highlighted that the offer price represents a significant premium
of around 120% compared to Aquis’s closing share price last Friday. The
acquisition is described as a strategic move to enhance SIX’s market presence
and strengthen its exchange business across Europe.
This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.
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