In yet another coup for Ireland this week in terms of leading industry players creating jobs, the electronic trading firm Virtu Financial has just announced it has consolidated all of its European business into its existing Dublin office. The move will see Virtu create 30 highly skilled jobs for graduates in maths, computer science and other sciences, including those with master’s and PhD degrees.
Earlier in the week, job-seekers in the high-tech space got another boost when software quality specialist SQS announced it would be creating 75 jobs between both its Belfast and Dublin bases within the next three years.
As for Virtu Financial, the company’s existing office is poised on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in the Dublin Docklands. The company was founded by Vincent Viola, the former chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD, is this evening officially opening the new European headquarters of Virtu Financial.
Where it’s at
Virtu Financial, LLC (known as Virtu) is known in financial markets as being one of new wave of electronic trading firms that provide market making services across all European markets through the use of technology.
Since 2005, Virtu has been leveraging technology to grow its market share across multiple-asset classes and markets.
The company also has offices in New York; Austin, Texas; and in Singapore.
It is an electronic market maker on many exchanges and electronic marketplaces in equities, fixed income, currencies and commodities.
Its ultimate aim is to use its technology to help sustain the health and efficiency of global financial markets.
Actively sniffing out graduates in the STEM space
In transiting all of its European business into the Dublin office, Virtu Financial Ireland is now actively recruiting for graduates in maths, computer science and other sciences for roles in its trading, operations and technology groups.
Viola, founder and chairman of Virtu, said this evening that one of the reasons that the company selected Dublin as its European HQ was because it recognised that there was a talent stream of well-qualified and highly-educated people in the country, ready to work.
“We have further expanded our business in Ireland because of the success we have had doing business in Ireland,” he said.
Speaking from Virtu’s Dublin office this evening, Taoiseach Kenny said that the expansion and jobs postings was “extremely welcome” news.
“It is a vote of confidence in Ireland’s pro-business environment and our talented and flexible workforce,” he said.
Ireland as a hub for STEM activity
Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland, said this evening that Virtu Financial will be carrying out front-office trading in its European hub in Dublin.
“The company will be hiring very highly qualified talent to support its work here in Dublin,” he said.
