Quorum 15, the global financial markets think tank, and Greenwich Associates, the leading global provider of market intelligence and advisory services to the financial services industry, today announced the launch of Q15 Digital, a new partnership venture that significantly expands Quorum 15’s long-established programme of influential industry forums, allowing a wider community of buy- and sell-side firms to participate in driving  change in global financial markets.

Quorum 15 was established in 2008 to encourage dialogue between buy- and sell-side institutions and build consensus around the key issues impacting the trading of equities, fixed income and FX.

Its members gather quarterly in a series of meetings held under the Chatham House Rule to pool their expertise to resolve shared challenges.

Their collective recommendations are then communicated back to regulators, industry associations and relevant government bodies via members’ firms. Comprising 15 senior executives drawn from leading global institutions, these regular meetings (‘quorums’) have traditionally been held across five key financial centres: London, New York, Boston, Hong Kong and Sydney. Since 2014, Quorum 15 has leveraged Greenwich Associates’ global roster of senior research analysts to facilitate discussion and ensure a data-driven foundation to the U.S. meetings.

Q15 Digital extends this model to a broader and more geographically diverse range of firms worldwide via a video conferencing service. Q15 Digital members, comprised of senior level business decision makers from across the buy and sell side, will have the opportunity to collaborate on identifying key business priorities and to strengthen relationships and cooperation within and across their own markets, in addition to being updated on the industry challenges identified by the members of the established physical quorums. Greenwich Associates will work with Q15 Digital’s members, as well as its advisory board, to help establish the agenda so that the most critical industry challenges are addressed.

Mike Burton, Founder and CEO of Quorum 15, said: “For 10 years, Quorum 15 has been bringing together leading market participants in the world’s major financial centres as equal stakeholders to engage in a frank and constructive exchange of views. In today’s interconnected world, the candid exchange of expert views has never been more important, and firms are looking for smarter, more cost-effective models to deliver that deeper level of engagement. The launch of Q15 Digital demonstrates Quorum 15’s steadfast commitment to building consensus and finding certainty in changing times.”

Dan Connell, Managing Director at Greenwich Associates, said: “We are extremely excited to expand our partnership with Quorum 15 as we jointly roll out this new digital initiative. The Q15 Digital offering presents a phenomenal opportunity to buy- and sell-side firms globally by expanding the geographic reach of Quorum 15. Q15 Digital members will benefit greatly from the combined expertise held in the virtual meeting room and can expect a secure and lively discussion on the most important regulatory and market structure developments across all asset classes.”

The first Q15 Digital meeting is expected to be held in Q4 2018. Potential buy- or sell-side participants interested in learning more should contact [email protected].