NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Liquid Holdings Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: LIQD ), a provider of a single platform that integrates order and execution management with real-time risk, reporting, shadow accounting, and managed services in the cloud for the financial services community, today announced prominent additions to its senior team. Ralph Lafferty, formerly of Eze Software Group, joined as Head of West Coast Sales, and financial services veteran Jim P. Lee joined as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). These hires reflect Liquid's mission to provide a purpose-built platform that enables fund managers to further harness the power of cloud technology and achieve greater operational efficiency and stability as they look to raise capital from institutional investors.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mr. Lafferty will work with the growing community of hedge funds on the West Coast seeking a cost effective platform that requires no IT or operations footprint to run mission-critical aspects of their business such as trading, risk management, and reporting as well as key services including broker reconciliations, corporate actions, and security master maintenance.
As CAO, Mr. Lee is responsible for managing Liquid's growing roster of clients through a proven and streamlined activation and on-boarding process as each client goes live on the Liquid platform while also driving the firm's corporate technology infrastructure and operations. Additionally, Mr. Lee contributes to the technology strategy and execution model in support of the Liquid platform.
Liquid's growth in operations—which includes another key hire, Matt von Mering, formerly of Pipeline Trading Systems and Eze Castle—allows clients to benefit from a streamlined on-boarding process which matches the use of Liquid platform to unique workflows across front office trading through to the middle- and back-office, while offering industry best practices at each point in the process.
"We're thrilled with the additions of Ralph Lafferty and Jim Lee to our senior team as we continue to strengthen our position as a game-changer in the hedge fund technology marketplace," said Brian Storms, CEO of Liquid.
"Ralph is distinguished by his deep understanding of cloud-based platforms and his expertise in advising hedge funds and other financial services companies on solutions and services that address operations from front office trading through to the middle- and back-office as well as IT and operations," commented Storms.
"Jim plays a critical role in helping our clients make a rapid and seamless transition to the Liquid platform and quickly realize the extensive operational benefits and rich capabilities the platform allows," Storms added. "We are truly fortunate to expand our team with leaders who are passionate about executing on our company mission."
Prior to joining Liquid, Mr. Lafferty was Director of New Business Sales at Eze Software Group. Previously, he was Head of Systems Research at Carbon Based Consulting. He has held various equity trader and risk management positions at Sungard Data Systems, Worldco Financial Services, and Hold Brothers Investment Services. Mr. Lafferty received his bachelor's degree in finance and accounting from the University of Oklahoma.
Mr. Lee was formerly Chief Information Officer with both Endurance Specialty Insurance and Marsh & McLennan Companies. Previously, Mr. Lee was Executive Director, Chief Information Officer of the Americas and Head of Managed Accounts Operations in the Americas for UBS Global Asset Management. Mr. Lee started he career in management consulting with IBM Business Consulting Services division where he led multi-million dollar engagements for clients in the financial services sector. Mr. Lee received his bachelor's degree from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.
About Liquid Holdings Group
Liquid Holdings Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: LIQD ) is a cloud-based technology and managed services provider to the global hedge fund and active trading markets. Liquid's solutions are delivered efficiently and securely through the cloud in a SaaS model. The Liquid platform was purpose built to manage the entire trade lifecycle by seamlessly integrating multi-currency, multi-asset trade order management, and execution with real-time risk, portfolio management, and shadow account reporting through a single solution. The company offers the Liquid platform or any of its components on a subscription basis to hedge fund managers, asset managers, family offices, and financial institutions worldwide.
Headquartered in New York City with offices in London and Aventura, Florida, Liquid Holdings Group was formed in 2012. For more information, please visit www.liquidholdings.com
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