Hot 100: Adrienne Seaman, CME Group

The group submitted an application to the FSA to launch a London-based derivatives exchange, with Seaman leading the in-house advice.

The licence application came as part of the company’s growth plans in the UK. Emea expansion was the reason CME hired Seaman from Taylor Wessing as its first Emea legal head in 2008, with the legal team still expanding.

CME also had a go at taking over the London Metal Exchange, which eventually went to Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing. The group is now committed to organic expansion in Europe.

Seaman has had plenty to arrange internally and externally since she joined.

As well as building up the in-house team, she launched a beauty parade for outside lawyers after the previous regulatory adviser Shearman & Sterling found itself conflicted because of its role acting for competitor Intercontinental Exchange. After a competitive process she chose Norton Rose.

CME is now preparing for the introduction of the controversial European Markets Infrastructure Regulation, which comes into effect early next year.