Liquidnet has hired a former managing director from Bank of America Merrill Lynch to lead its European operations, bringing to an end a six month search to replace former European chief, John Barker, who left in May.

Mark Pumfrey has joined Liquidnet, a global operator of buyside-only trading platforms, today as its head for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and will also be a member of the firm's global management team. He reports directly to John Kelly, Liquidnet's global chief operating officer.