ULLINK Fortifies APAC Operations, Installs Ofir Gefen as Managing Director

ULLINK has made its latest senior hire, on-boarding Ofir Gefen as its Managing Director for the Asia Pacific Japan (APJ) region. The appointment represents the group’s first marquee hire over the past few months.

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Mr. Gefen joins the electronic trading and connectivity solutions provider after a lengthy career in the financial services industry. This includes an eighteen-year stint at ITG, where he worked as its Managing Director and Co-Head of Execution for APAC. In his new role at ULLINK, he will be based out of Hong Kong, reporting to Didier Bouillard, ULLINK’s Chief Executive Officer.

In his new role Mr. Gefen will take command of the APJ operations for ULLINK, given his prowess and familiarity with the region. He has been actively involved in ITG’s operations in APAC since 2008, whilst based out of Hong Kong, also managing multiple initiatives with the group. This includes an emphasis on electronic execution, algorithmic trading, Analytics , and others.

APAC push

The appointment is part of a broader shuffle at ULLINK, which will see the group strengthen its resources and personnel in APAC. In tandem with Mr. Gefen’s appointment, Luc Hovhannessian, ULLINK’s longtime Paris-based executive, will also be shifting focus and relocating to Singapore – he will be installed as the group’s Director of South East Asia (ASEAN).

Furthermore, Doris Teo will also be re-joining ULLINK as its Head of Sales for North Asia – he returns to ULLINK after previous stints at SunGard (FIS) and 360T (Deutsche Börse Group). Both individuals will be reporting to Mr. Gefen.

Mr. Gefen commented on the appointment and added resources in APAC: “I have admired ULLINK’s growth in the trading, connectivity and execution space for both Buy and Sell Side, and I am delighted to join the firm. ULLINK is perfectly positioned to service the growth in electronic execution with its broad portfolio of solutions and deep understanding of the technological as well as regulatory challenges ahead.

“With 9 years’ experience in the region I am confident I can contribute to the formidable APJ team and together deliver ULLINK’s ambitious growth plan for the region,” he added.

“The APJ region is seeing enormous change driven by technology and changing Regulation , and it is vital that ULLINK has the right team in place to position the company to service our clients with outstanding solutions and levels of service. The appointments of Luc Hovhannessian and Doris Teo add further to our strong team and demonstrate our commitment to the APJ region,” reiterated Mr. Bouillard.