Antonia Oddin

In this session, four buy-side heads of trading share unfiltered perspectives on where they’re placing their biggest strategic bets- and what they’re leaving behind. From broker list redesign and bilateral partnerships to technology stack modernisation, leaner team structures, and the evolving role of AI, this discussion will explore how desks are being reshaped to meet the demands of the next three years. Expect honest views on the future of execution, the shifting balance between quants and process-driven traders, and what it means to scale trading without scaling headcount. Whether it’s building more modular infrastructure, navigating changing order flow dynamics, or adapting to increasing product diversification- this session will surface the critical calls that are set to define the future of buy-side trading.

Fragmentation, new liquidity protocols, and shifting venue structures are reshaping execution workflows- and forcing desks to rethink how platforms and processes are built. With OMS and EMS systems at the heart of trading architecture, firms are seeking ways to streamline connectivity, reduce silos, and embed greater consistency across asset classes. This panel brings together buy-side and platform perspectives to explore how architecture can adapt to deliver efficiency and resilience, while balancing the drive for modernisation with the realities of legacy systems. Expect candid discussion on the push for simplification, the role of automation and direct connectivity, and how business requirements on the desk are defining the next generation of multi-asset trading.

Europe’s equity derivatives market is mature and highly regulated- but is it still innovative? From ESG products that flared and faded to a new wave of retail participation and digital experimentation, this session explores whether real innovation is still possible in a crowded, risk-averse marketplace. Can exchanges and market makers create products that deliver genuine liquidity rather than headlines? What are retail investors truly asking for, and how do fiscal and tax differences across Europe influence risk appetite and product design? Bringing together exchanges, market makers, and buy- and retail-side leaders, the panel asks: is Europe innovating- or simply reinventing old ideas?