UBS hires trading veteran for US execution hub

UBS hires trading veteran for US execution hub
The unit helps asset managers and hedge funds outsource trading desks.
SEP 26, 2023

UBS Group hired longtime trading executive Brian Williamson as it seeks to expand its U.S. execution hub, set up to help asset managers and hedge funds cut costs tied to running a trading desk.

Williamson, who most recently was head of sales of the trading firm Luminex, joined UBS as an executive director, according to a memo to staff seen by Bloomberg. A 30-year trading veteran, he also previously worked at Liquidnet, the memo said. 

“Brian will be dedicated to outsourced sales solutions and focused on accelerating our distribution efforts,” Jonathan Slavin, managing director for UBS’s execution hub in the Americas, said in the memo. A spokeswoman for UBS confirmed its contents. 

Money managers have increasingly turned to outsourced trading desks as the global shift to passive investing has put pressure on their margins. 

UBS, for its part, has been building out its outsourced trading desk for years. The division can replace an investor’s trading desk entirely by handling all its orders or simply act as a backup when clients’ staff are out of pocket.

Latest News

Why fixed income still belongs in your clients' portfolios
Why fixed income still belongs in your clients' portfolios

In an era of AI euphoria and market FOMO, getting back to basics with fixed income may be the most contrarian and most important move advisors can make.

Voya expands advisor managed accounts to add private market assets
Voya expands advisor managed accounts to add private market assets

Voya Financial adds private equity, credit and real estate options to its AMA program, building on support for looser federal investment rules in retirement accounts.

With executives leaving, Osaic’s Reid now in the spotlight
With executives leaving, Osaic’s Reid now in the spotlight

Shannon Reid, president of Osaic and the network’s number two executive, has plenty of challenges, industry executives said.

Investors sue crypto fund and platform, alleging $1.5 million never returned
Investors sue crypto fund and platform, alleging $1.5 million never returned

Auditors flagged the commingling. The COO allegedly knew. Investors kept getting the pitch

Wells Fargo nabs $1.7B RBC advisor team, loses two teams to LPL
Wells Fargo nabs $1.7B RBC advisor team, loses two teams to LPL

The advisors on the move include two brothers leading a family practice in Connecticut, and a husband-and-wife tandem working with business owners in the West Coast.

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income

SPONSORED Why direct indexing stopped being optional

Direct indexing is on pace to outgrow ETFs and mutual funds. Northern Trust's Ken Lassner explains why the advisors who get it wish they had started sooner.