Operational Outsourcing

ISC's goal is to provide sensible solutions to the challenges facing the investment management industry.

The Brief

An investment management client had a requirement to outsource internal functions as part of a firm-wide efficiency programme to provide cost savings to shareholders. Each function underpinned a project within the programme; these covered Solvency II Reporting, Accounting, Performance and Risk functions.

Project Scope

The scope of the multi-year project was to re-plumb existing data feeds and processes to the new outsourced platforms, while maintaining the existing BAU responsibilities and quality control. A number of project teams, in which ISC were embedded, operated in multiple locations co-ordinating activity to drive the projects forward.

Our Role & Value

ISC’s extensive role within this project ensured we partnered with the client satisfying their need for experienced project resources. Given the wide and varied experience ISC has within the regulatory/data/operational landscape, our experience and knowledge provided the client an insight into industry standard practice and peer review of the approach. This enabled the client to get best fit solutions while minimising cost and disruption to the BAU functions.

The Outcome

The programme conclusion resulted in the completed outsourcing of not only regulatory reporting but the other important internal functions. This was a pillar in the client’s service rationalisation and cost reduction strategy.

Consultant Reflections

“I have watched the Investment Management industry evolve for almost 40 years now, and the pace of change continues unabated. Change (correctly handled) helps firms to grow, so it is key to make sure that the change management resource you use, is appropriately skilled. I am always struck by the professionalism and expertise of my fellow ISC colleagues, and am proud that our change management delivery track record in the industry is second to none”

Simon Harris
Investment Solutions Consultants

The Importance of Regulatory Horizon Scanning and Tailored Reporting for Investment Managers

In today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, investment managers face a complex web of compliance requirements that can significantly impact their operations. Regulatory horizon scanning has emerged as a critical practice to help organisations stay ahead of potential regulatory changes and ensure continued compliance. This article explores why, here at Investment Solutions Consultants (ISC) Ltd, we strongly believe that a robust approach to regulatory horizon scanning is essential and why the reporting produced must be tailored and focused to meet specific customer requirements

READ MORE

ESG Post-Trade Governance – Potential Consideration

If you are an Asset Manager investing in ESG strategies, the chances are you will have a strong governance model over determining what represents an ESG investment in line with the strategy for which you are investing

READ MORE

ESG Pre-Trade Governance – Potential Considerations

READ MORE

Operational Resilience Update – Mapping and 3rd Parties

Under Operational Resilience, firms must identify and document the people, processes, technology, facilities, and information essential for delivering important business services, including any third-party relationships that could affect impact tolerance

READ MORE

Common Regulatory ESG Issues Facing Asset Managers

ISC has written an insightful article on the Regulatory ESG Challenges Faced by Asset Managers.

Around 530 million years ago, multicellular life burst onto the scene on Earth. Having been single celled for two billion years, this explosion of multi-cellular creatures became known as the “Cambrian Explosion.” In the evolutionary blink of an eyelid, life went from a few different types of single-celled organisms to a huge variety of diverse

READ MORE

Operational Resilience Update – Impact Tolerances

Under Operational Resilience, firms must set impact tolerances for important business services and regularly review them. The FCA findings recently highlighted a variety of impact tolerances with limited rationale on what constitutes intolerable consumer harm or risks to market integrity, necessitating further clarification

READ MORE

Operational Resilience Update – Important Business Services

Under Operational Resilience, firms must identify their important business services and review them regularly. Remember that these are services which, if disrupted, could

READ MORE

Product Master Series – Workflow Integration

Mastering fund and product data is not just about operational efficiency; it’s fast becoming a regulatory imperative. It is becoming increasingly apparent that a mature data master is critical to meet everchanging regulatory requirements.

READ MORE

Product Master Series – Downstream Integration

READ MORE

ESMA Clarification on AI for Firms Engaging with Retail Investment Clients

ESMA has issued guidance for investment firms using AI, emphasising client best interests, to ensure compliance with MiFID II and safeguard investors. Below is a summary of that guidance.

The advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers transformative opportunities in retail investment services, enhancing efficiency, innovation, and decision-making. However, AI also presents risks such as algorithmic biases, data quality issues, and transparency challenges. Despite the initial phase of AI diffusion, its impact on firms’ behaviours and retail investor protection is expected to be significant. Management bodies retain responsibility for decisions, whether made by humans or AI.

READ MORE

We listen to your needs

We understand your challenges

We provide solutions

We help with implementation

Contact us to find out more

ISC is all about helping our clients be successful. Clients receive a personal relationship with our talented and pragmatic consultants, whose goal is to help them achieve success.

CONTACT OUR TEAM