Nasdaq OMX Rehires Adena Friedman as Co-President

Nasdaq OMX has rehired Adena Friedman as president of the company’s Global Corporate, Information & Technology Solutions as one of two co-presidents named to strengthen the company's leadership bench.

In this new role, Friedman, 44, will oversee Nasdaq OMX’s Information Services, Technology Solutions and Corporate Client group business segments.

Friedman returns to Nasdaq OMX after three years spent as chief financial officer at Carlyle Group, the private equity firm based in Washington, D.C.

According to today’s Wall Street Journal[subscription only] Friedman was named co-president as a part of a broad restructuring that is likely to position her as the top candidate to succeed Robert Greifield, the company’s current CEO, who has more than two years left on his contract.

Based in New York, Friedman will join the firm on June 12. Her direct reports will include John Jacobs, EVP, Global Information Services, Anna Ewing, EVP, Global Technology Solutions and Bruce Aust, EVP, Global Corporate Client Group. Friedman will be responsible for overseeing the strategy and operations as well ashaving financial responsibility for each of these businesses. She will report directly to Bob Greifeld, Chief Executive Officer.

Friedman was a key member of NASDAQ OMX's management team for over a decade, serving in a variety of roles including head of the company's data products business, corporate strategy, as well as CFO, according to the company’s release. Friedman was also a central driver of the company's acquisition strategy, helping orchestrate the acquisitions of INET, OMX, Philadelphia and Boston exchanges.

As part of the restructuring, Hans-Ole Jochumsen, currently EVP, was also named co-president. Jochumsen has been promoted to President of Global Trading & Market Services and will continue to report to Greifeld.

Since 2008, Jochumsen has led the company’s Transactions Services Nordics division, and has been responsible for the Nordic and Baltic markets, developing a strong strategic position in the European equitesi markets.

The changes many reflect the need for a different corporate structure. In an interview, Greifeld told the Wall Street Journal that there was an element of succession planning in these moves.” Nasdaq OMX has evolved from an operator of a single U.S. stock exchange to a global operator of technology and markets businesses since Greifeld became CEO in 2003, notes the WSJ article.

Ivy is Editor-at-Large for Advanced Trading and Wall Street & Technology. Ivy is responsible for writing in-depth feature articles, daily blogs and news articles with a focus on automated trading in the capital markets. As an industry expert, Ivy has reported on a myriad ... View Full Bio