Helsinki, December 11, 2013 – The University of Helsinki announced last November an open position for a new professorship in Securities Market Law. The professorship is unique from a Nordic perspective as it combines the more traditional disciplines of company, finance, market, criminal and civil laws into a new independent discipline. The aim of this new role is to raise awareness of the Finnish, Nordic and European securities market legislation. The new professorship will also provide an opportunity to emphasize the Nordic approach in this field of law, including corporate governance issues.

The Chancellor of the University of Helsinki has appointed Mårten Knuts, LL.D., Ms. of Sc. in Econ., as the new Professor in Securities Market Law. Mårten Knuts has published his doctoral thesis on market manipulation in the securities markets (2010) and has researched a broad range of topics within the field of securities markets law. Knuts is a partner with Krogerus Attorneys and advises clients in capital markets transactions. Knuts is called upon by corporations and sovereign governments to provide counsel on their complex regulatory matters and disputes. Knuts frequently lectures at both universities and conferences. Knuts has previously worked in Copenhagen and London.

NASDAQ OMX Nordic Foundation donated EUR 100,000 for the Future Fund of University of Helsinki in 2012. It is one of the largest donations in the history of the Foundation.The university has invested the proceedings from the Future Fund into several strategically important new professorships. The latest of the new professorships is the Professorship in Securities Market law. NASDAQ OMX Nordic Foundation gets its own funding through fines from securities market disciplinary actions imposed on listed companies or member firms. The objective of the Foundation is to promote research of the financial markets in the Nordic region and to spur competitiveness and robustness of securities markets in general.

“We are pleased to have been able to support the strategic plans of the University of Helsinki in establishing a significant new professorship, and we would like to congratulate Mårten Knuts for his new appointment. We hope the new professorship will improve the regulation for the listed companies to secure their competitiveness in the market. We also hope to support the development work in the Nordic capital markets and to improve the role of the Nordic capital markets within the EU”, said Lauri Rosendahl, President of NASDAQ OMX Helsinki and a member of the Board of NASDAQ OMX Nordic Foundation.

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NASDAQ OMX Nordic Foundation

The Disciplinary Committees of NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm may, in case of a breach by a member or a listed company, resolve to fine the member or the listed company. The paid fine is transferred to the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Foundation for the promotion of the foundation’s objective, which is to promote scientific research of the financial markets in Finland, Denmark and Sweden, providing impetus for increased competence and competitiveness for these financial markets. Three of the directors of the Foundation shall have extensive academic experience within the field of financial markets.

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