EUROPE - Standard & Poor’s has appointed Eudald Canadell as its new managing director for S&P’s Index Services Europe. The appointment coincides with the opening of new European headquarters in Paris, which marks a push into Europe for the index provider.

Canadell takes over from Peter Jeffreys who retired from the position due to personal reasons at the end of June. Jeffreys continues to work as a consultant with S&P Index Services Europe, and a spokeswoman stressed that he would work alongside Canadell.

Prior to joining S&P, Canadell was employed in Spain as director of business development and member of the management board at MF Group, which absorbed MEFF, the Spanish derivatives exchange and other markets. Canadell will be based at the headquarters Paris, but will spend half of his time at the office in London.

S&P decided to establish headquarters in Paris to better service the needs of investors in the Euro-zone. With closer links to Europe, Robert Shakotho, managing director at S&P’s index services, believes that S&P is ”better positioned to transform the index landscape of Europe.“

Adds Canadell: “our strategic direction for Europe includes leveraging the popularity of the S&P Europe 350 through the licensing of investment vehicles and derivative products, developing new indices and index tools, and maintaining relationships with European exchanges.”