Laura Bayley Appointed CEO of Eurex Clearing AG

Laura Bayley will become CEO of Eurex Clearing AG on 1 June 2026, bringing deep clearing industry expertise from SIX x-clear to lead growth and innovation.

Laura Bayley has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Eurex Clearing AG, the central counterparty clearing house arm of Deutsche Börse Group, set to take up the role on 1 June 2026. The appointment marks a significant leadership transition for one of the world’s leading clearinghouses, responsible for facilitating risk management and settlement across global derivatives markets.

Bayley joins Eurex Clearing from SIX Group, where she has served as Head of Clearing Services and CEO of SIX x-clear AG, the Swiss central counterparty, since 2022. Her extensive experience spans regulatory strategy, legal leadership, major integration projects, and post-trade infrastructure, making her a seasoned figure in financial market infrastructures.

Eurex Clearing’s board and executives have emphasised the importance of Bayley’s appointment, noting her vision for operational excellence and innovation. As derivatives markets evolve with new regulatory regimes, clearing reforms and demands for resilience and efficiency, Bayley’s leadership is expected to guide Eurex Clearing through strategic growth and technological transformation.

Key Highlights

  • New CEO appointed: Laura Bayley will become CEO of Eurex Clearing AG on 1 June 2026.
  • Experienced leader: Bayley joins from SIX x-clear AG, where she has been Head of Clearing Services and CEO.
  • Strong market infrastructure background: She has deep experience in regulatory strategy, governance and integration projects at SIX and BME Clearing.
  • Leadership endorsement: Eurex leadership has hailed her vision and transformational capabilities.
  • Central clearing context: Eurex Clearing is a leading global central counterparty serving major derivatives and risk-management markets.

About Laura Bayley and Her Career

Professional Background

Laura Bayley has built a distinguished career in financial market infrastructure, combining legal expertise with strategic management. Before joining SIX Group in 2016, she worked at a leading Swiss law firm after earning a double degree in Law and Chinese Studies, giving her a unique blend of legal, regulatory and international experience.

While at SIX, Bayley rose through roles in regulatory and governance functions before being appointed Head of Clearing Services and CEO of SIX x-clear AG, the Swiss central counterparty. In these capacities, she led key initiatives to enhance clearing services, managed operational risk and strengthened business relationships across post-trade markets.

Bayley’s leadership extends beyond operational roles to industry governance; she represents SIX on influential bodies such as the Executive Committee of the European Association of CCP Clearing Houses (EACH) and the SWIFT Board of Directors, reflecting her broad influence within the global financial infrastructure community.

Strategic Role at Eurex Clearing

Eurex Clearing AG is a key pillar of the Deutsche Börse Group, one of the world’s most significant exchange and clearing operators. As a central counterparty (CCP), it plays a critical role in managing counterparty risk, ensuring the smooth settlement of trades, and maintaining market stability across a wide range of asset classes, including derivatives and fixed-income instruments.

Bayley’s appointment arrives at a time of dynamic change in global post-trade infrastructure. Markets are adapting to evolving regulatory frameworks, technological disruption, heightened resilience requirements and shifting client expectations. Her mandate will likely include leading Eurex Clearing in further enhancing its risk-management capabilities, expanding service coverage and driving innovation — including potential investments in more efficient clearing technologies and cross-border interoperability initiatives.

The transition also reflects broader industry trends toward strengthening leadership diversity and cross-border expertise within clearinghouses, emphasising experience in regulatory strategy and governance as key differentiators in CCP leadership roles.

Market and Industry Impact

Eurex Clearing’s operations are central to the derivatives markets that connect global asset managers, banks, hedge funds and institutional investors. Effective CCP governance and leadership are critical for maintaining confidence in these markets, especially amid ongoing regulatory reform and heightened scrutiny following past market stress events.

Bayley’s appointment signals Deutsche Börse’s commitment to continuity and growth. Her track record in leading SIX x-clear — itself an established clearinghouse with a strong presence across European markets — suggests expertise that aligns well with Eurex’s strategy: balancing robust risk frameworks with service innovation.

Her leadership may also influence Eurex Clearing’s engagement with market participants on issues such as margin practices, interoperability with other CCPs, and technological modernization, all of which remain high on the industry agenda.