Balkwell to lead Pirum's pre-trade and trading solutions
15 September 2025 UK
Image: LinkedIn
Pirum has hired Zoë Balkwell to lead the development and adoption of the firm’s pre-trade service offering, Pirum TradeConnect.
Based in London, Balkwell will not only drive the evolution of Pirum TradeConnect but will also lead the development of complementary trading solutions.
She will collaborate closely with clients to ensure Pirum’s pre-trade offering delivers the same levels of technology and white-glove service as the firm’s Post Trade platform.
Balkwell takes on the position following a four-year tenure with J.P. Morgan Chase, where she served as head of flow trading for EMEA, leading the global bank’s European agency securities finance operations.
Previously, she took on senior securities finance roles at State Street, EquiLend, and Merrill Lynch, having started her career as a securities finance software engineer at Goldman Sachs.
Commenting on her new appointment, Balkwell says: “I’m excited to join Pirum at this pivotal moment for pre-trade innovation. As a long-time admirer of Pirum’s Post Trade solutions, I’ve seen the firm’s successful track record in launching fantastic products that solve real-world problems.
“The opportunity to head up Pirum’s pre-trade offering was therefore hugely appealing. I am excited to get to work with Pirum’s leadership and teams in London and New York, as well as our clients, to drive our pre-trade offering to become the gold standard for pre-trade and trade connectivity.”
Robert Frost, chief product officer at Pirum, adds: “[Zoë] brings the perfect combination of deep securities lending expertise and strategic technology vision — understanding both how technology can optimise existing trading flows and how it can unlock new opportunities for industry participants.”
Based in London, Balkwell will not only drive the evolution of Pirum TradeConnect but will also lead the development of complementary trading solutions.
She will collaborate closely with clients to ensure Pirum’s pre-trade offering delivers the same levels of technology and white-glove service as the firm’s Post Trade platform.
Balkwell takes on the position following a four-year tenure with J.P. Morgan Chase, where she served as head of flow trading for EMEA, leading the global bank’s European agency securities finance operations.
Previously, she took on senior securities finance roles at State Street, EquiLend, and Merrill Lynch, having started her career as a securities finance software engineer at Goldman Sachs.
Commenting on her new appointment, Balkwell says: “I’m excited to join Pirum at this pivotal moment for pre-trade innovation. As a long-time admirer of Pirum’s Post Trade solutions, I’ve seen the firm’s successful track record in launching fantastic products that solve real-world problems.
“The opportunity to head up Pirum’s pre-trade offering was therefore hugely appealing. I am excited to get to work with Pirum’s leadership and teams in London and New York, as well as our clients, to drive our pre-trade offering to become the gold standard for pre-trade and trade connectivity.”
Robert Frost, chief product officer at Pirum, adds: “[Zoë] brings the perfect combination of deep securities lending expertise and strategic technology vision — understanding both how technology can optimise existing trading flows and how it can unlock new opportunities for industry participants.”
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