Deutsche Börse invests in IT by all data and IT-related activities pooled Management change in IT

By way of underpinning its growth strategy, Deutsche Börse is creating a new business area geared to extending its client reach and service offering. In this move, notably IT with its system and service development and operating capabilities, Market Data and Analytics as well as selected external services are to be pooled under one roof. This includes, for example, the use of trading systems for other exchange companies, the business process offering in its entirety, IT operations for other financial service providers as well as network services.

The goal on the one hand is to tap new, integrated business opportunities while, on the other, supporting clients with tailored IT and other services, thereby further enhancing customer loyalty, broadening client reach and meeting the growing demand for outsourcing services with an expanded range of services.

Reto Francioni, CEO of Deutsche Börse AG, said: “Our services, also in the field of IT in particular, put us firmly in the premier league of global providers. Deploying our combined expertise and capabilities to optimum effect in customer acquisition, competition for market share and regional presence will be increasingly important when it comes to boosting the Group’s international positions. This sends out a clear mandate to our new business area to play a key role as a critical and strategic competitive factor for Deutsche Börse AG going forward, as well as to harness and expand cross-selling potential with our existing business areas.”

In addition, to the launch of the new business unit there will be a change in the top management of the IT business unit. Dr.-Ing. Michael Kuhn (57) and Deutsche Börse AG agreed on the best of terms and by mutual consent that the Executive Board contract of Michael Kuhn due to run out at the end of 2012 will not be extended. The company is looking for a successor. Michael Kuhn will be available for the company.

Supervisory Board Chairman Manfred Gentz and CEO Reto Francioni thanked Michael Kuhn for his total of 23 years’ service for the Deutsche Börse Group. He has been a member of the Group Executive Board since 1999. “We wish to express our gratitude to Michael Kuhn and his team. It is thanks to him and his colleagues that Deutsche Börse AG sets global standards with its systems,” said Gentz.

Reto Francioni added: “It is good that we can continue to count on Michael Kuhn and his expertise in building up the new business area.”

Michael Kuhn joined Deutsche Terminbörse, which later became part of the EUREX derivatives exchange, in 1989. He held various management responsibilities in information technology and switched to Deutsche Börse AG in 1994, where he has been in charge of IT on the Group’s Executive Board since 1999. Michael Kuhn studied chemistry and earned his doctorate in chemical engineering at the University of Dortmund.