SIX Group, Switzerland's principal financial market infrastructure operator, has appointed Bjørn Sibbern as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2025, marking a leadership transition at one of Europe's major exchange operators.
SIX Names Exchanges Chief Sibbern as CEO to Succeed Dijsselhof
Sibbern, who currently serves as Global Head Exchanges and sits on SIX's Group Executive Board, will succeed Jos Dijsselhof, who is stepping down after a transformative seven-year tenure to pursue opportunities in the Middle East. The Danish executive brings more than two decades of capital markets experience, including significant roles at Nasdaq, OMX Exchanges, and E*TRADE Bank Denmark.
“Since joining SIX a year ago, we have experienced Bjørn as a strong, highly motivated and proactive leader. With his excellent track record, Bjørn has the necessary international expertise and leadership qualities to further pursue and accelerate the growth path of SIX,” said Thomas Wellauer, Chairman of SIX.
The leadership change comes at a crucial time for SIX, which has undergone significant transformation under Dijsselhof's stewardship. Since 2018, the company has executed several strategic moves, including the sale of its cards business to Worldline and the acquisition of Spanish stock exchange BME, substantially expanding its international footprint.
“Over the past year as Global Head Exchanges, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with an exceptional team and experiencing firsthand the opportunities that lie ahead for SIX,” Sibbern commented. “I am excited to continue collaborating with my colleagues on the Executive Board and across the entire organization as we build on our successes and shape the future of our industry together.”
Sibbern, who holds multiple degrees from Copenhagen Business School, including an Executive MBA, has been instrumental in overseeing SIX's exchange operations since early 2024.
To ensure a smooth transition, Dijsselhof will remain with the company until the end of February 2025. Under his leadership, SIX has not only grown geographically but also embraced innovation, particularly through initiatives like the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX).
“Over the past seven years, he has strengthened the international footprint of SIX, championed innovation such as SDX, and has been instrumental in transforming and modernizing the corporate culture of SIX, thus positioning the company for further success. We wish Jos all the best in his new endeavors,” added Wellauer.
SIX to Buy London’s Aquis Exchange
The incoming CEO faces the challenge of building upon SIX's market position while navigating an increasingly competitive global exchange landscape. Especially, the Swiss exchange has announced plans to acquire London-based Aquis Exchange through a cash offer, valuing the transaction at an enterprise value of £194 million.
The deal, disclosed on Monday, involves a payment of 727 pence per share in cash to Aquis shareholders, bringing the total valuation of Aquis’s issued and to-be-issued share capital to approximately £207 million.
The announcement highlighted that the offer price represents a significant premium of around 120% compared to Aquis’s closing share price last Friday. The acquisition is described as a strategic move to enhance SIX’s market presence and strengthen its exchange business across Europe.
