A leading derivatives and securities exchange has announced the hiring of two seasoned professionals to spearhead its Derivatives and Data divisions. This move is aimed at enhancing the company’s offerings and driving innovation in these critical areas.
Rob Hocking returns to the organization as Executive Vice President, Global Head of Derivatives. He has a rich history spanning over 25 years in global derivatives markets, with a proven ability to develop innovative trading products. In his new position, he will oversee the company’s global derivatives operations, which encompass futures and options markets in North America and Europe, as well as a comprehensive range of proprietary products, including S&P 500 Index options and VIX-related offerings. Hocking has previously held the role of Senior Vice President, Global Head of Product Innovation within the same organization before his departure.
His extensive background includes leadership positions at DRW Trading, where he served as Global Head of Equity Volatility Trading, as well as notable roles at Goldman Sachs and Hull Trading. Throughout his career, he has amassed significant experience as a member and trading permit holder of the exchange.
Expressing his enthusiasm for rejoining the organization at this pivotal moment, Hocking stated, “The company has consistently been at the forefront of derivatives innovation, and I am eager to collaborate with our talented team to foster growth and deliver value to our clients.”
Alongside him, Brian McElligott will assume the role of Senior Vice President, Global Head of Cboe Data Vantage. With over 25 years in data and analytics, McElligott will manage the organization’s market data and access services, global indices, risk analytics, and execution solutions. His previous experience includes a 14-year tenure at CME Group, where he held the position of Managing Director, Global Head of Information Products, Analytics, and Market Data. Additionally, he has served as Managing Director, Head of Data Product Strategy at Tradeweb and held leadership roles at Morningstar.
The executive leadership within the organization expressed confidence in the incoming leaders’ abilities to strengthen strategic goals and spur innovation across the derivatives and data segments during this dynamic period for the industry. Acknowledgment was also made of the contributions of the departing Executive Vice President, Global Head of Derivatives, who played a pivotal role in positioning the firm for long-term success. Her leadership has been noted as instrumental in the effective operations of these business divisions.
Both Hocking and McElligott are set to begin their new positions at the company’s headquarters in Chicago on October 1, 2025. Hocking will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and be a part of the Executive Leadership team, while McElligott will report to the Executive Vice President in charge of Enterprise Strategy and Corporate Development.
This transition marks a significant step forward for the organization as it seeks to enhance its capabilities and deliver customer-centric solutions in yet another competitive market landscape. The leadership changes aim to fortify existing strengths while embracing fresh perspectives in driving innovation and maximizing value for clients.