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Introductory remarks to Sir David Walker's keynote speech
by André Lussi, Chairman, Edmond Israel Foundation

It is a great privilege to introduce Sir David Walker -although he hardly needs any introduction. I would like to thank him for his generosity with his time -the highest form of generosity-, as he made the trip specially for this group at a time when his doctors were hoping -naïvely- that he would give a broken leg some time to rest.

Sir David is familiar with the three aspects of the challenge we address here: regulation, technology and market culture. On all three aspects, he has been at the forefront of thinking and decision making.

He began as a "whiz kid" at the UK Treasury and then went on to a remarkable career at the Bank of England and at SIB, the key market regulator in the UK at a time of major changes. He then became Chairman of Morgan Stanley Europe, a major market institution. He is widely respected for his personal role and interest in articulating the practitioners' perspective on market infrastructure and technology.

The role of the large international banks in today's search for more efficient markets in Europe is well known. I think therefore that I speak for everybody here when I say that we are extremely interested in the perspective that Sir David Walker is going to share with this distinguished group.

 
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