Considered an economic behemoth, the wealth of Europe’s countries varies, with the difference roughly viewed through an east-west divide. Whilst western European countries all have high GDP’s and living standards, many of Eastern Europe’s economies are still recovering from the collapse of the former communist Soviet Union.

Led by the United Kingdom, Europe was the first region to industrialize in the 18th century followed by France, Italy and Germany becoming one of the richest regions in the world. From 1945 to 1990 many nations moved to link their economies which laid the foundation for what would become the European Union. It wasn’t until 1999 that the European Union as we know it today was fully established with its own currency.

Over the last decade the region has gone through a stage of rapid consolidation creating a number of super exchanges, whilst the introduction of alternative trading platforms such as Chi-X and Turquoise have considerably changed the trading landscape and in some cases eroded the market share of the incumbent exchange.

Europe has suffered considerable losses as a result of the credit crisis with almost every country afflicted in some way. Whilst European investment markets are now past the lowest point of one of the worst investment downturns in history, economies remain weak. Key issues around market stability, dark pools and the increased prevalence of operational risk requirements as a result of regulation are top of mind for all European market participants.