The CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives exchange, has hired a liaison to the hedge fund industry as it prepares to launch an electronic credit derivatives market and clearing facility.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange operator has named Mark Thompson director for hedge funds. He will focus on East Coast hedge funds, operating out of New York, seeking to develop the firm’s hedge fund business across all of its product lines.

Thompson most recently worked at UBS Securities, where he was a member of the macro/cross asset team. He has also spent time at hedge fund Moore Capital Management and Banque Paribas.