virt-x: Appointment Of Chief Executive

virt-x plc, the operator of the virt-x European cross border exchange, today announced the appointment of Peter Keller (38) as Chief Executive with effect from the beginning of October 2002. Mr. Keller, who is currently Director of Operations at virt-x, will replace Antoinette Hunziker-Ebneter following her decision to step down from her position of Chief Executive at the end of September 2002. Mrs. Hunziker-Ebneter has decided to take this step in order to take up new professional challenges.

Peter Keller has worked for SWX Swiss Exchange since 1994 and is a member of the SWX Management Board with responsibility for all operational and trading market activities. Mr. Keller has been Director of Operations of virt-x since its creation.

Commenting on today's announcement, Peter Stevens, Chairman of virt-x plc, said: "On behalf of the Board and all at virt-x, I would like to thank Antoinette for her contribution to virt-x. Antoinette was instrumental in the creation of virt-x and her intellect, drive and vision have been key to the development of our market and success to date. We wish her every success in the future."

"Peter Keller has been involved in the development of the virt-x project since its inception and has both the management and capital markets experience necessary to build on what has already been achieved at virt-x as we continue to pursue our strategy of building market share in the important European blue chip stocks"