JonesTrading Institutional Services announced it has launched an enhanced Private Markets platform designed to bring the firm’s agency trading approach into private market transactions, as competition to provide liquidity intensifies across a fragmented private markets landscape.
The firm also announced the appointment of Jon Jefferies as Managing Director of Private Markets. In the role, Jefferies will be responsible for leading and scaling the business as JonesTrading expands its private markets execution capabilities and positions the unit alongside its established public markets franchise.
JonesTrading framed the initiative as an extension of its long-standing operating model in listed markets, emphasizing execution qualities it says have underpinned its client relationships for decades. The firm said it intends to apply the same dependability, speed, scale, trust, and relationship-driven approach it has relied on in public markets to the increasingly complex and decentralized world of private transactions.
A key pillar of the strategy is distribution. JonesTrading highlighted the breadth of its institutional relationships, saying it engages weekly with more than 1,500 clients, including hedge funds, mutual funds, pensions, ultra-high-net-worth investors, and family offices. The firm said those relationships are supported by more than 70 hybrid research and sales traders, a structure it believes can be leveraged to connect supply and demand for private market liquidity more efficiently and discreetly.
The move comes as private markets have grown in size and prominence, while secondary and structured liquidity solutions have become more common for investors and issuers seeking flexibility outside traditional public market pathways. JonesTrading said the market remains fragmented, creating an opportunity for intermediaries with established institutional reach and repeatable execution processes to play a larger role in facilitating transactions.
JonesTrading describes itself as a full-service investment banking firm offering capital markets, M&A, and strategic advisory services. The firm, founded in 1975, is known for block trading and liquidity provision to institutional investors and also offers derivatives trading, outsourced trading, electronic trading, prime services, private markets trading, and research and market intelligence.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our expansion into private markets is a natural evolution of the core competencies that have driven JonesTrading’s success for decades. By applying the same disciplined processes, strategic approach, and robust institutional distribution that underpin our public markets business, we aim to deliver reliable, differentiated, and discreet solutions at scale.”
Jon Jefferies, Managing Director of Private Markets, JonesTrading
“Jonathan Jefferies is a highly respected member of our team, and we have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead this initiative. His experience, reputation and leadership make him exceptionally well suited to build this business and represent JonesTrading.”
Alan Hill, CEO, JonesTrading
