As revealed on GC.com last Thursday, Reuters confirmed today that former GSTPA MD Tony Kirby is joining the firm as head of STP initaitives. In his new role, Kirby will will formulate, develop and drive an overarching strategy for Reuters participation in STP across asset classes. Based in London, he will focus on how to deliver STP by driving strategic alliances with key providers and industry groups in order to support enterprises seeking better information, integration and transaction management. He takes up his post on 28 January 2002 and will report to Alex Hungate, Reuters Chief Marketing Officer.
Anthony (43) brings to the role over 20 years of experience in the financial and technology sectors. He joins Reuters from the role of Chief Strategy Officer at bolero.net, the online community integrator, which he joined in 2000. His previous roles include five years as Director of Securities, Commodity and Treasury markets at SWIFT where he was instrumental in growing the securities business from 3 per cent to over 30 per cent of its core business. Prior to this Anthony was a Business Manager at Reuters responsible for marketing Reuters commodities, treasury and equities products worldwide, as well as Marketing Manager for Instinet from 1991-1993.
He is an active and well-known member of the global STP community. He joined Merrill Lynch in 1999 from where he was seconded as Executive Director of the Global Straight Through Processing Association (GSTPA), representing over 120 members of the global securities industry. During his time at GSTPA, Anthony took a major role in the strategy and direction of the association and led collaboration with key industry associations such as Financial Information Exchange (FIX), the Securities Industry Association (SIA) and the International Securities Services Association (ISSA). During this time Anthony was also a member of Institutional Trade Processing (T+1) Committee in the US, the FIX Cross-industry XML Standards Working Group and the Promethee Think Tank in France.
He received his MPhil, MA and DPhil from the University of Cambridge in1986.
Alexander Hungate, Reuters Chief Marketing Officer, said: ” Achieving true STP is one of the most fundamental challenges facing the financial services industry. The T+1 deadline in the US, the need for ever increasing operational efficiency, and the drive to reduce costs are all focusing attention on this critical issue.
“TowerGroup estimates that the industry will spend $19bn on STP solutions over the next four years. Reuters is ideally placed to serve this market and I am delighted that Anthony will be leading our strategy. He has extensive knowledge of STP and its implications for the global financial services industry. His appointment is a sign of Reuters commitment to bring its considerable assets together to accelerate the industry towards true STP.”
Anthony Kirby, said: ” I am extremely pleased to be joining Reuters in this role. Business information such as global reference data will be fundamental to achieving the goals of Straight Through Processing over the next five years and it is also at the heart of Reuters business. Reuters global presence, world-class reputation for integrity and innovative approach to the use of open technologies create a fantastic opportunity to assist financial institutions, and the whole industry, reap the true benefits of STP.”