One of Europe's leading high-frequency trading firms has hired a senior executive from Bank of America Merrill Lynch to lead its market relations, a role which has come to the fore at HFT firms seeking to establish themselves in the region.

Spire Europe, a subsidiary of New York-based HFT Tower Research Capital, has hired Angela Cappuccino as a director for market relations, according to two people familiar with the situation. Cappuccino is expected to join Spire in January, and will report directly to the firm's chief executive Alan McGroarty.