Nasdaq Takes Aim at Tech Crown, Appoints CIO

US exchange group Nasdaq OMX has announced that it will combine its market technology and corporate solutions business lines, in an attempt to create a technology unit that can compete with the world's top vendors.

The new unit will be led by current CIO and executive vice president, Anna Ewing, and renamed Global Technology Solutions. It will operate as a standalone entity within Nasdaq.

In the same release, the exchange also announced the appointment of Bradley Peterson to the position of global CIO, effective from February 6. Peterson will report to Ewing. Previously, he held CIO positions at Charles Schwab and eBay.

"As an industry technology leader, our state-of-the-art systems and software deliver innovative solutions and world class technology to a globally diverse client base," says Bob Greifeld, president and CEO at Nasdaq OMX. "With the proposed acquisition of Thomson Reuters' IR, PR and Multimedia businesses and in combination with our Market Technology and Corporate Solutions business, we have achieved unprecedented scale in technology services. We intend to continue to build this leading franchise into one of the top technology organizations in the world and this reorganization reflects our focus and commitment to this exciting and growing segment of our business."