Autonomous Research, the independent financials-focused research house, is moving into electronic trading and has hired a seasoned equities trader to build the platform.

The firm, which was set up by former Merrill Lynch analyst Stuart Graham and salesman Ed Allchin in 2009, has hired Tony Nash, who most recently led execution services at Espírito Santo. A veteran of the European equities market, Nash previously worked at Lehman Brothers as head of portfolio and electronic trading sales.