New Eurex CEO Outlines his Leadership Strategy for European Derivatives Exchange

Taking leadership of a European derivatives exchange brings to the fore a number of priorities for Robbert Booij, the newly appointed CEO of Eurex Frankfurt AG. Booij shared his insights and priorities in a recent video interview with John Lothian News at the FIA IDX conference in London. Booij reflected on his transition from the banking sector to heading an exchange and outlined his strategic vision for Eurex.

Booij, who took over the role on July 1, 2024, succeeding Michael Peters, emphasized the importance of customer-centricity and high-quality execution in his new position. "A lot is the same, but a lot is different as well," Booij noted, drawing parallels between his previous role at ABN AMRO Clearing Bank and his new responsibilities at Eurex.

The new CEO highlighted Eurex's reputation for stability, integrity, and reliability, qualities he aims to reinforce during his tenure. Booij plans to focus on growing revenues in both fixed income and equity segments, with strategies including creating alternative liquidity pools and introducing products with correlated risk offsets across different maturities.

Addressing the fragmentation of European markets, Booij announced plans for a "Home Market Settlement" project, set to launch in September. This initiative will allow clients to settle directly into their preferred Central Securities Depository following equity option exercises, potentially streamlining post-trade processes.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations remain a priority for Eurex, aligning with the European Capital Market Union's strategic pillars. Booij emphasized the exchange's commitment to rolling out additional ESG-focused products based on customer demand.

While Eurex primarily serves institutional clients, Booij expressed openness to exploring retail market opportunities, particularly in options trading. However, he stressed the importance of balancing growth with customer protection, ensuring traders understand the associated risks.

On the topic of digital assets, Booij revealed that Deutsche Börse Group, Eurex's parent company, is preparing to launch a new venture called Deutsche Börse Digital Exchange. This initiative aims to bring tokenized securities and crypto trading into a regulated environment, leveraging lessons learned from past industry incidents.

As Booij settles into his new role, he plans to maintain a visible presence across Eurex's global offices, emphasizing the importance of connecting with staff and clients worldwide. His leadership style appears to prioritize customer feedback and market responsiveness. He said, "We will listen to our customers... to also hear their views on how we can make it better for them."


How did it feel to hand over the kilt challenge to Rama Pillai?
How often will you travel to all the Eurex offices?
What is your strategy for Eurex?
What topics are you going to focus on first?
Is there any movement toward retail with these products?
What is the status of tokenization at Eurex?

00:00:00 - Eurex Strategy: Horizon 2026
00:00:52 - Kilt Challenge and Rama Pillay
00:02:00 - Comparison Between Exchange and Banking
00:03:03 - Movement Towards Retail with Eurex Products
00:04:36 - Visiting Eurex Offices
00:05:30 - Key Focus Areas
00:07:01 - Status of Tokenization at Eurex