6 March 2017
Plato Partnership announces 15 new Partners

Plato Partnership, a not-for-profit company bringing creative solutions and efficiencies to today’s equity marketplace, is pleased to announce 15 new Plato Partners.

The new Partners announced today include:
BBVA Asset Management, Capital International Ltd, part of the Capital Group, Commerzbank AG, Instinet Europe Ltd, Jefferies, Legal & General Investment Management, Macquarie Group, RBC Capital Markets, Rosenblatt Securities Inc., Standard Life Investments Limited, T. Rowe Price.

Plato Partnership is driven by a collaborative approach from both buy side and sell side firms who want to have a positive impact on market structure and efficiency.

Mike Bellaro, Plato Co-Chair and Global Head of Equity Trading, Deutsche Asset Management, said:
“When we set out on the Plato Partnership journey our central objective was to create a collaborative and inclusive group through which we were able to address the biggest issues facing today’s equity trading marketplace. Today’s announcement is a major milestone in delivering that vision, with some of the biggest firms in the market joining the existing founding Plato members to create a group that is absolutely unique. We now have the representation and the financial resources to fund significant initiatives that will have a tangible impact on the marketplace. One initiative being considered currently is IOIs, an increasingly important issue for market participants, and we expect to provide insight and output on this in the coming months.”

Nej D’jelal, Plato Co-Chair and Managing Director, Head of Electronic Equities Product, EMEA at Barclays, said:
“This exciting announcement reinforces the core role of the trading community in driving forward Plato Partnership initiatives to reduce trading costs and simplify market structure. Following the successful launch of Turquoise Plato1 and The Market Innovator (MI3)2, we look forward to the steer of the Plato
Partnership community to continue to deliver in the interests of end investors. Plato Partnership is very much about delivering tangible outcomes in the interests of end investors and we hope to soon make some more exciting announcements”.

Steven Way, Head of Equity Trading, Europe, at Standard Life Investments, and new Plato Partner, said:
“Simplifying market structure and reducing trading costs requires input and insight from the broadest possible range of market participants, which is central to what Plato Partnership is working to achieve. The Plato Partnership structure not only ensures consideration of the broadest range of perspectives
on industry critical issues, but provides a mechanism by which to effect meaningful progress and change. We are delighted to be playing an important role in that process going forward.”

1 Turquoise Plato formally brings together for the first time buy-side, sell-side and trading venue to deliver increased efficiencies in anonymous
European equity block trading. 
2 Integral to Plato Partnership’s vision is academic research – the Market Innovator (MI3). This will produce independent research and analytics,
open to peer review, and aimed at seeking out ways in which the Plato community can collaborate to build a better financial ecosystem. 

Sal Rodriguez, Head of Electronic and Programme Trading, Instinet Europe Limited, and new Plato Partner, said:

“Instinet is pleased to be partnering with Plato. This partnership gives our firm the opportunity to work alongside many of the major market participants and collaborate with both the buy and sell side. Working closely with other members through Plato is a significant and positive development for our clients and the industry. Not only will this help to create more efficiencies in the market, it will also be instrumental in discovering new and innovative ways to address the significant changes taking place in the market place. We very much look forward to working alongside our new partners.”
Matthew Szeto, Managing Director, Co-head of Equity Execution (EMEA), Global Equities, RBC Capital Markets, and new Plato Partner said:
“Plato Partnership has established itself positively in the market by facilitating a collaborative approach to solving some of the biggest issues faced by market participants. This approach should bring particular benefit in a MiFID II transition year and will help members address future challenges.
We are delighted to bring RBC’s contribution to the forum and look forward to participating in the Plato Partnership Working Groups to add our insight and drive to this important initiative.”
As Plato Partners, all 15 firms have committed a level of time and expertise to driving forward important Plato initiatives. Plato Partners will be closely involved inputting to Plato’s core groups:
1. Plato Lab: Part of MI3, Plato’s research incubator, this Plato Partners focus group will discuss and promote research topics of interest for consideration.
2. Incubation Lab: Part of PSIG (Plato Strategic Initiatives Group), this Plato Partners focus group will discuss and promote potential change of market structure topics for consideration.
3. Senior Advisory Group: part of TPEG (Turquoise Plato Expert Group), this Plato Partners focus group enables non-founding members provide views, thoughts and ideas to TPEG. This participation will drive future direction of Plato in its mission to deliver solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the market.

The opportunity for Plato Partners is to:
 Have significant influence in shaping equities market structure developments in Europe.
 Broaden market structure knowledge through collaboration and insights regarding issues,references and ideas on a diverse range of topics.
 Build stronger industry relationships and extend networks with significant buy and sell side industry participants and industry service providers.
 Gain first mover advantage in utilising Plato delivered capabilities.

Any organisation interested in becoming a Plato Partner can register their interest at
www.platopartnership.com

Enquiries
Cicero Group
plato@cicero-group.com
Mike Robb
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7947 5315
Mob: +44 (0)7887 571 244
Ben Wright
Tel: +44 (0)20 3841 9333
Mob: +44 (0)7575 111 786