The Baltic Exchange, a group specializing in the trading and settlement of physical and derivative contracts has announced a new senior addition, appointing Janet Sykes as its Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).

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Ms. Sykes will step into her new role in July, and will help the group support a series of ambitious growth plans. She joins Baltic Exchange, having worked as the former Head of Communications at shipping services provider Clarksons Platou.

Ms. Sykes worked at Clarksons Platou for over seven years between 2010 and 2017 – during this period, she was responsible for all internal and external communication and marketing. Her latest appointment will mark her second stint at Baltic Exchange, as she previously worked at the group as its Head of Marketing during 2001-2010. Additional roles also include stops as a shipbroker at Howe Robinson, dating back to 1991, according to information on her Linkedin profile.

According to Baltic Exchange Chief Executive, Mark Jackson, in a statement on the appointment: “We’re delighted that Janet Sykes will be joining the team. She has global shipping experience with a strong focus on the derivative markets and data products. We have bold plans to provide more freight market benchmarks, increase our regulatory role and support our members in post-trading activities by creating a digital maritime market infrastructure. Strengthening our team is integral to realising this vision.”

London-based Baltic exchange was acquired by SGX last year, with plans to utilize the group as a means of permeating European markets, which could usher in additional changes for the group.