ASX names Helen Lofthouse as new managing director and CEO

Nearly four months after the retirement of ASX (ASX: ASX) CEO Dominic Stevens was announced, the stock exchange has named its new CEO, promoting Helen Lofthouse into the top job.

Lofthouse - the exchange’s first female CEO - is currently the company’s group executive for markets and has been working at the ASX for almost seven years.

Prior to joining the ASX, Lofthouse was based in London where she was a managing director at UBS, and before that she worked in various senior roles at JPMorgan.

As group executive for markets, Lofthouse was in charge of the ASX’s largest business by revenue, responsible for cash and derivatives trading, including equities, interest rates, commodities and energy products, as well as the benchmarks business and international sales.

ASX chairman Damian Roche said Lofthouse was selected following a comprehensive search, which considered experienced and highly credentialed local and international candidates.

“Given the high calibre of experienced candidates attracted to the position, we are delighted that the outstanding choice to lead ASX as its new CEO comes from within the organisation,” Roche said.

“It is testament to Helen’s qualities and highlights the strength within ASX’s executive ranks. It also reflects the board’s confidence in the strategy and performance of the company in recent years.

“We look forward to the fresh ideas and enthusiasm Helen will bring to the role as our new CEO. Her appointment ensures a smooth and orderly CEO transition. ASX’s exciting future is in strong and capable hands.”

Roche added that the board was impressed with Lofthouse’s leadership abilities, and said he believed she was the best candidate to steer the exchange.

“Helen has successfully managed changing priorities in dynamic environments, and done so while delivering critical market infrastructure,” Roche said.

“She has a strong understanding of our values and strategy, and a proven ability to lead large and diverse teams and deliver growth.

“Importantly, Helen is already known and highly regarded by our people, customers and regulators, and has a deep understanding of the regulatory environment in which ASX operates.”

Lofthouse said she was “delighted” to take on the new role.

“I am honoured and humbled to be chosen as the CEO of ASX given the critical role it plays in Australia’s financial markets,” she said.

“I have been working with an extremely talented and dedicated group of people right across ASX, including at the executive level, in ASX’s derivatives and OTC markets and clearing businesses, and more recently in cash equities and the various risk, compliance, technology and operational teams who support them. It has been an exciting and rewarding experience.

“As a member of the senior executive leadership for almost seven years, I have strong working relationships with people and teams throughout the organisation. I am looking forward to helping shape ASX’s future as we continue our transformation and leverage our technology platform to deliver further value for customers, staff, shareholders and the investing public. I am also indebted to Dominic Stevens for ensuring ASX is in a strong financial, operational and technological position, and with considerable growth optionality when he leaves.”

Stevens will continue as CEO until 31 July 2022, and has agreed to remain available to advise and assist the ASX with the transition until 30 September, after which he intends to retire.

“ASX is in a very strong position. I acknowledge Dominic’s major contribution in leading the company through a period of significant growth, challenge and transformation,” Roche added.

“Dominic has driven the execution of our strategy to build an exchange for the future. He has done a great deal to contemporise the organisation, improve the resilience and functionality of our operating platforms, position ASX to capitalise on new growth opportunities and lift the experience for our customers.

“Under Dominic’s leadership, ASX has become a stronger, more performance-driven company, which consistently delivers solid financial results."