Archive for the ‘Capco’ Category
The fifth annual conference of the Cass-Capco Institute on Risk will take place on 19 April 2012 at Cass Business School, part of City University London. The event is a unique opportunity for leading practitioners and academics to debate ongoing changes in risk management and industry responses to regulation as the world looks for continued recovery from the financial crisis. Developing more effective risk management processes in financial institutions has been a key and continued part of the response to the financial crisis.
Speakers at the conference include world authorities on risk from both the academic and business communities. Additionally, the conference also offers five discussion panels on the following topics: economic risk, financial risk management, regulatory risk, CCP alternatives and potential unintended consequences of government sponsored clearing and operational risk. The conference will address many of the risk-related issues featured in the latest issue of The Capco Institute’s Journal of Financial Transformation.
Stephen Vinnicombe, Capco Partner and UK Finance, Risk and Compliance Lead said: “Banks and investment firms are under continued pressure to monitor and improve the quality of their risk management. While significant efforts have been made in this area, Capco and Cass believe that the debate between industry practitioners and leading academics will yield further insights to the increasingly complex environment, better positioning the industry to navigate regulatory requirements and drive competitive advantage.”
Richard Gillingwater CBE, Dean of Cass Business School said: “As a leading provider of business education specialising in the financial sector, Cass Business School maintains risk management and assessment at the heart of its teaching and research. This event brings together practitioners and academics to respond to industry challenges and develop best practice ideas. The continuing partnership between Cass and The Capco Institute further establishes Cass’s reputation as a thought leader in the higher levels of financial regulation.”
Source: www.top-consultant.com
Capco, a global business and technology consultancy dedicated solely to the financial services industry, has appointed Tara Brady as a Partner and member of the European management team. Brady will be responsible for helping further expand Capco’s strategic financial services consulting business across Europe including key markets such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
Peter Schurau, CEO Europe, Capco: “As a result of market demand, we have enjoyed healthy growth levels consistently above consulting industry averages. We anticipate building on this strong platform throughout 2012 and beyond. Tara has extensive expertise in managing financial services business transformation projects making him well placed to lead our development efforts throughout Europe. He is an advocate for continuously improving top-line expansion as well as best serving client needs. We welcome Tara to Capco and the fresh approach he bring to the business.”
Tara Brady, Partner, Capco: “Financial institutions are faced with increasing regulation, risk mitigation requirements and marketplace uncertainty and they need the time and resources to concentrate on these core business issues. Outsourcing back office operations leaves these firms to focus on their core business, while Capco can help better manage business processes.”
Brady adds: “Capco’s expertise in successfully dealing with the business transformation process is one of the many reasons I was attracted to the company. As a specialist financial services consultancy, Capco has the agility and speed to manage these challenges head on. It is also supported by large-scale expertise and knowledge within the business.”
Brady has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry across retail banking and insurance outsourcing contracts and acquisitions. Before joining Capco, he was CEO of Calyx Group, a mid-sized IT provider of infrastructure and carrier services. Prior to this role, Brady was a member of the group board of management and CEO (International) at Getronics (KPN) and also director of financial services at what is now Logica. He has previously served as visiting professor of City University business school now known as Cass Business School and has authored the Financial Times bestseller ‘Rules of the Game’.
Source: www.top-consultant.com
Capco, a global business and technology consultancy dedicated solely to the financial services industry, today announced that it has been positioned 27th in The Sunday Times‘100 best companies to work for’ annual list for 2012.
Andrew Tarver, Capco Partner and UK CEO said, “As the highest placed financial services consultancy on the list this year, our reputation as a top company to work for precedes us. We strive to stand out in the market as a company that truly values its people and this accolade recognises our efforts as an employer of choice. We are proud of our inclusion. As Capco continues to grow, so will the reasons to work here.”
In addition to being listed by The Sunday Times, Capco has also received Best Companies Accreditation, securing two stars. Each year both projects are based on a rigorous employee survey and a company questionnaire.
Capco’s placement reflects the company’s commitment to developing its employees and maintaining an environment which encourages collaboration and innovation. Education is actively encouraged through formal classroom based training, learning on the job and networking. When asked if their jobs are good for personal growth, staff provided the second best response in the survey, scoring 85%. The senior management team empowers employees at all levels to take ownership for running all the major functions and processes within Capco. This includes being part of strategy development through to driving recruitment, training and building and owning communities.
Praised as an inspirational leader (placing joint 9th in the list), Andrew added, “There is a true entrepreneurial spirit running throughout the company. We operate with minimal hierarchy and encourage all our employees to bring their ideas to the table. This type of initiative fosters teamwork right across the business and brings everyone together to create something great. We will continue to drive innovation across our organisation as we look to attract and retain the best people. From what we have seen, there is no comparable organisation like it in our industry.”
Capco continues to provide intellectually challenging and complex projects for its consultants to work on. 73% of staff surveyed see unlimited opportunities to learn and grow, whilst 83% feel they can make a difference at the company. These are both top five results inThe Sunday Times list. Capco recognises and values the differences in its employees and strives to use these assets to develop and strengthen the company’s unique culture. A positive work/life balance for all its employees is also high on the agenda.
Source: www.top-consultant.com
“Banks’ customers will likely see a change in the services and products they receive if a ring-fence is implemented. They may find it even more difficult to find competitive rates on savings accounts, given that banks will no longer be able to invest savings through their investment arms,” comments Mark Jenkinson, Capco Partner, UK Banking Team. “Consumers may even find it more difficult to find a mortgage, as savings rates and volumes are not attractive enough to bring in the level of funding required for high mortgage volumes. We are also likely to see a more limited range of products and services across the retail banks.
“We have to remember that only universal banks will face the challenge of implementing a retail ring-fence. The silver lining for the consumer is the changes may level the playing field for new start-ups, making it easier for them to compete with the major players.
“There appears to be much political debate still to be finalised on the proposed timeline for putting in place the suggested reforms indicated within the Vickers report. Whilst the coalition appears to be at loggerheads around the timeline, pressure from the Treasury and Department of Business, Innovation and Skills may align the Vickers report recommendations to broader on-going regulatory change (Basel III) and into the Financial Services Bill, which is currently in draft. The ability to agree on a timeline across both the political and regulatory regimes seems to be the largest stumbling block, rather than the report itself. Any short term implementation option could force the Banks to relook at their lending quotas for the coming two years, with small businesses most likely to be impacted in the short-term.”
Source: www.top-consultant.com
LONDON — Capco, the global business and technology consultancy dedicated solely to the financial services industry, today announced the launch of a comprehensive and competitively priced Section 166 (S166) service to support financial firms issued with an S166 notice from the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
A Section 166 or Skilled Person Report is a regulatory tool used by the FSA and requires a financial institution to engage a third-party firm to conduct a review or analysis of a particular function or operation of the bank that is of concern to the FSA. S166s are becoming more widespread as the FSA extends its supervisory oversight in a continued effort to more closely supervise financial institutions.
Capco’s S166 review service draws on the company’s extensive financial services capabilities and subject matter expertise to deliver an S166 report for any area of a bank’s business including data quality, counterparty credit risk, retail credit processes, market risk, programme governance, quantitative models and operating model analysis.
Stephen Vinnicombe, partner, Capco said: “Capco is taking a fresh approach to S166 reviews. Our team of consultants understands exactly what the regulator is looking for based on their previous FSA work experience and have the deep financial services industry knowledge to deliver an objective analysis for any business area under review. Capco’s size and agility means we can respond quickly to a firm’s request for a skilled person at a highly competitive price point. In addition, our sole focus on the financial services industry rather than audit or tax means we remove any conflict of interest.”
Capco’s financial industry experts can also deliver remediation support for financial firms who have been through Section 166 reviews performed by other organisations.
Source: www.top-consultant.com
Rob Deakin’s appointment as Partner underscores the financial services consultancy’s capital markets expertise.
23 August 2011 – Capco, the global business and technology consultancy dedicated solely to the financial services industry, has appointed Rob Deakin as a Partner within its UK capital markets leadership team, where he will be working with Tier One investment banks on improving the performance of their technology organisations.
Rob joins Capco with significant consulting expertise in investment banking and investment management having worked at Accenture for 11 years. He has extensive experience of successfully delivering large-scale business and technology transformation programmes. Rob specialises in the design and implementation of target operating models, low-latency trading technologies and off-shoring.
Rob Deakin, Capco Partner, said: “Investment banks are under significant pressure to improve their cost/income ratios. With their revenue trajectories limited by increasing capital requirement and regulatory constraints, banks are working with Capco to optimise their costs while better aligning technology spend to business strategy in order to improve margins.
“While headlines may have focused on headcount, financial institutions are undergoing more fundamental reform, reassessing their IT strategy, spend and operating model in order to meet the demands of this changing business environment. Aligning technology with business strategy provides competitive advantage and Capco believes that regulators will be increasingly likely to intervene where this is not the case.”
Andrew Tarver, Capco UK CEO, said: “Capco has a longstanding presence in the capital markets domain, providing companies working in this sector with expert business and technology consultancy services. Rob brings with him a wealth of expertise and experience to Capco’s capital markets team, which will enhance and develop our offering in this area.”
Source: www.top-consultant.com
Capco, the global business and technology consultancy dedicated solely to the financial services industry, announced the opening of an office in Johannesburg, South Africa. Staffed by a team of financial services industry experts, the South African office has been launched to better serve Capco’s existing Africa-based clients and attract the attention of prospective banking and capital markets clients interested in working with a consultancy dedicated to the financial services industry.
The new South African office is Capco’s thirteenth office location across four continents, and further strengthens the firm’s global reach.
Capco research suggests that, while the South African financial services industry has not been as hard hit as other global financial centres, Africa-based financial services institutions are still looking to make significant improvements to their business operations.
Already operational, the Capco South African office is based in the heart of the Johannesburg financial district and is led by financial services consulting expert Bruce Gordon.
“This is a great time to be joining the fastest-growing professional services firms operating in the financial services industry,” said Gordon, Capco partner. “Capco clients appreciate the firm’s ability to field individuals with a tremendously rich understanding of industry issues and practical experience. They also value the ability to access industry-recognised thought leadership that addresses the challenges faced by financial institutions today.”
Commenting on the office opening, Peter Schurau, CEO of Capco Europe, added: “I am very excited at the addition of our new office in a significant financial services market. Our experienced team and now established local presence will enable us to effectively serve both local South African clients, as well as major institutions across Africa. Our local presence also positions us to collaborate more closely with our parent company FIS, as and when client needs dictate.”
Source: www.top-consultant.com
Andrew Tarver to continue growing UK business by ensuring delivery of innovative thinking and added value in client engagements.
New UK CEO takes helm at financial services consultancy Capco
Capco, the global business and technology consultancy dedicated solely to the financial services industry, announced that Andrew Tarver has been appointed Capco’s UK Chief Executive Officer. Thirty-five year old Andrew was previously a Partner in Capco’s UK capital markets team. Ismail Amla, Capco’s previous UK CEO, will now head Capco’s North American practice.
Tarver has 12 years’ experience in financial services consultancy serving tier one capital markets clients. Throughout his career he has been responsible for planning and executing global change programmes, defining technology and operations strategies, designing target operating models and specialising in process and technology delivery across a range of derivative products. Tarver joined Capco in 2010 from Accenture where he was a Partner in the firm’s Capital Markets practice.
Tarver said: “I am delighted to have been asked to lead Capco’s UK business. I am proud to be part of a firm that prioritises the interests of its people and clients above everything else. We have a client-centric approach in all that we do and I will look to ensure that we continue to act as trusted advisers, challenging our clients to think differently.
“This is an exciting time to be working in the financial services industry alongside the sector’s leading firms, but even more so, an exciting time to be part of Capco. We are incorporating the most innovative thinking into all our offerings, including the implications of mobile banking, social networking and creative solutions to address regulatory change, to ensure our clients have the very best solutions, delivered by the best talent in the industry.
“For example, a major challenge we are helping clients address is the diminishing Return on Equity (RoE). RoE targets are being revised downward as capital scarcity, leverage constraints and pressure on product innovation limit revenue growth, whilst cost bases are largely unchanged from the peak of the last banking boom. Financial institutions are retrenching from their previous product and market growth strategies. Many have embarked on formal cost of capital reviews to identify value destroying business lines and functions.
“Rather than simply reducing costs, we strongly believe institutions should be taking the opportunity today to identify new revenue streams through innovation and by “sweating” their existing assets better. Capco is working to architect the future financial operating model, where it can act as both a partner and a participant.”
Peter Schurau, partner and CEO for Europe, said: “I look forward to working closely with Andrew to further develop Capco’s UK offering. At Capco we reward excellence regardless of age and Andrew’s appointment as UK CEO reflects the significant contribution he has already made to the company.
“His predecessor, Ismail Amla, leveraged the economic environment to significantly grow Capco’s UK business and Andrew is well-placed to continue this trajectory. Capco is now a part of the FIS™ family and Andrew will be working with our parent firm to identify and leverage UK business opportunities.”
Source: www.top-consultant.com
Capco, the global business and technology consultancy dedicated solely to the financial services industry, has appointmented Alex Corsi to lead the company’s UK technology services domain. As a Partner in Capco’s London office, Alex will specialise in setting up and managing complex delivery models in the Capital Markets sector.
Corsi joins Capco from Accenture, where he was an Executive Partner, responsible for Capital Markets in select European geographies. He has over 15 years’ experience working with global financial institutions on complex transformation and outsourcing projects. He has planned, implemented and run projects across the breadth of business functions, working with sales, trading, back office and custody.
Commenting on his appointment, Corsi said: “Financial institutions have realised that they need to analyse and evaluate the architecture of their technology systems. They have spent many years and significant amounts of money making incremental changes to these systems, which has resulted in levels of complexity that cannot always be justified. This built-in complexity raises the cost of making further changes and can even impede on an institution’s ability to deliver new business capabilities. Capco’s experience and expertise mean we are well-placed to assist clients in addressing this significant business need, simplifying technology architecture while driving better performance and reduced overall IT spend.”
Ismail Amla, Capco UK CEO, said: “We are excited that Alex has joined Capco. Our expertise in financial services technology is at the heart of what we offer to our clients and Alex’s arrival serves to bolster this. Alex will lead on further developing Capco’s UK technology services practice, deepening its expertise and growing market share. He makes a great addition to the UK leadership team and to our deep domain expertise across Banking, Capital Markets, Finance, Risk & Compliance and Wealth and Investment Management.”
Source: www.top-consultant.com
| Capco, the global business and technology consultancy dedicated solely to the financial services industry, has appointed Gary Goldberg as a Director in the company’s UK Capital Markets team. Gary will focus on growing Capco’s presence in the hedge funds and prime services segments of this market.
Gary Goldberg, Capco Director, said: “The alternative investments sector is growing rapidly and undergoing extraordinary change. I am excited to be working with Capco to develop solutions that cater to the specific needs of hedge funds and prime brokerage firms. We have a great opportunity to build on Capco’s deep industry expertise in what we firmly believe is a very attractive market. ‘‘The industry is going through several fundamental shifts. On the one hand, investors are flocking to size which is leading to industry consolidation; at the same time regulatory changes have resulted in a large number of new fund launches. Capco’s deep domain knowledge and thought leadership skills position us strongly to support the needs for fund launches, regulatory requirements, cost-saving and integration programmes.” Jonathan Davis, Capco Partner, Capital Markets domain lead, added: “We are delighted that Gary has joined Capco’s UK Capital Markets team. Capco is a fast-growing business and we believe significant growth opportunities exist within the hedge fund and prime services sector. Gary’s deep experience and understanding of this area of financial services will be invaluable in defining and expanding Capco’s offering in this space.” Gary joins Capco with significant expertise in the financial services industry having held a number of senior positions in the capital markets industry over the past 16 years. Most recently, Gary worked as Global Head of Front Office Technology for BlueCrest Capital. In this role he was responsible for front office technology strategy development, strategic risk architecture delivery and overseeing teams dedicated to the global trading desks. Gary also launched and oversaw the firm’s STP and static data architectures, and managed the technology change programme for three multi-billion dollar fund migrations. |
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Source: Top-Consultant