BNP Paribas appoints new head of Asia equity derivatives trading

BNP Paribas has appointed Vincent Desmarest as Asia-Pacific head of equity derivatives trading, based in Hong Kong.

Desmarest was previously head of exotic and stock flow trading for Asia-Pacific. He has worked at BNP since 2001 and has held various senior positions in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

BNP says the appointment is part of a push to strengthen its equity trading platform for clients in the region and bring its core trading activities under one unified team.

“Through its integrated equity derivatives trading platform, BNP Paribas has an unrivalled view point on the Asia-Pacific markets, truly standing at the crossroads of client flows in the region,” the bank said in a statement. “Vincent’s appointment ensures a more holistic approach, allowing the bank to maximise trading opportunities for clients, while streamlining order flows, ultimately offering a superior service with improved pricing capabilities for its clients.”

As part of its effort to meet changing client needs, BNP has also committed to building its cash equities business in Asia. In September last year it moved Lee Cook, head of emerging-market cash equities, to run the Asia business.