Exchange operator SIX will appoint Bjørn Sibbern as CEO effective 1 January 2025.

Sibbern (pictured) will replace outgoing CEO Jos Dijsselhof, who will step down to pursue “a new professional opportunity” in the Middle East.

Dijsselhof’s tenure oversaw key strategic changes including the sale of SIX Payment Services to Worldline and acquisitions including Spanish Stock Exchange BME.

Dijsselhof will remain at the firm until the end of February 2025.

Sibbern’s promotion comes a year after joining the firm. as head of the exchange businesses at the Swiss Exchange, Spanish Exchanges and the SIX Digital Exchange, as well as becoming a member of the executive board at SIX Group.

He previously spent almost 16 years at Nasdaq and was appointed president for European markets in 2019.

Sibbern also acted as head of global information services, president of Nasdaq OMX Copenhagen, global head of commodity markets and head of Nordic equities markets during his time at the firm, while overseeing the acquisitions of eVestment, Quandl and Puro Earth.

Prior to that, he spent almost two years as director of E*Trade Bank and head of trading at Stocknet.

He also holds other positions including board member at the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) and Puro Earth as well as the chairman of CORIT Advisory and a member of the Danish Committee for Corporate Governance.

Thomas Wellauer, chairman of SIX, commented: "I am delighted that in Bjørn, we have been able to appoint a proven and highly connected capital markets expert from our ranks as new CEO.

“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”.

Sibbern added: “Over the past year as global head of exchanges, I have had the privilege of working closely with an exceptional team and experiencing firsthand the opportunities that lie ahead for SIX.

“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.”