The right knowledge, capability and behaviours working collaboratively to deliver client success
Following my time working within major financial institutions, I made the step into consulting with Sapient where I began to specialise in market and regulatory driven initiatives. During my time at Sapient I founded, and led, the Market Infrastructure and Initiatives practice which was involved in some of the most transformative market-wide programmes that we have seen in post trade, derivatives ecosystem. This experience, and the many lessons learned, led me to found Base60 Consulting with a group of like-minded, and similarly passionate, individuals to bring to the market; a Consulting Experience that centred on value, expertise and quality and where, again, we were involved in some the most significant (and successful) market initiatives in recent years.
At Quorsus we have the ability to expand our style of consulting into new areas and bring greater value to our clients. We have a creative, hands-on approach to problem solving. This enables us to reach the optimum outcome for our clients and help them prepare for the future with confidence. At Quorsus, we believe in a consulting experience which prioritises client success within an environment that promotes talent development and values transparency. These are principles that I believe in and that we actively promote in our organisation.
Creativity and results. I believe in a consulting experience that values and prioritises client success. This is not possible without an environment that promotes talent development and emphasises the importance of transparency. By approaching a problem creatively, and with a hands-on technique, I know we can reach the optimum outcome for our clients, helping them achieve their overarching business goals
In such a dynamic industry, it is important to accept that you can’t know everything, and you really shouldn’t even try. But what you can do is endeavour to learn. Never stop asking questions of those you are working with and always ask their advice. If you’re constantly open to new ideas, you’ll find value in every conversation.
I strongly believe that today’s financial services landscape is ripe for opportunity if harnessed in the right way. What often thwarts these efforts is a lack of breadth of knowledge across the trade lifecycle and depth of knowledge of the detailed operational and technical issues involved. This is why it is the perfect time to launch Quorsus, a consultancy rooted in broad and detailed experience, focused on delivering quality outcomes for our clients.
Quorsus was built on the belief that consulting should not only value short-term delivery of benefits, but must also establish a sustainable pathway towards a better future. My experience in running technology functions for large organisations has instilled a belief that providing achievable delivery with tangible benefits, while implementing strategic change, are the key ingredients for success.
Making sure that decisions are based on clearly understood and accurate data and that solutions are pragmatic and implementable in the real world. So many things make sense on whiteboards and in diagrams, but can they and will they become real solutions that deliver value?
I’d stress the importance of being open. It can be difficult, especially when you are starting your career, to admit if you are struggling. From my experience, being willing to admit that you are overwhelmed by a project helps build trust with your team, your manager and your clients.
I have seen my fair share of the challenges financial institutions have overcome over the years, as well as the huge opportunities they have grabbed with both hands.
The biggest opportunity today is with those who can bring together the best talent with best of breed technology and the right framework on which to deliver impactful change. This is exactly why we created Quorsus. Our mission is to help firms along their transformation journey, give them practical experience, reassure them that each step builds upon the previous, and demonstrate that the journey’s end warrants the journey in the first place. It’s all about the outcome, so start with that!
Apart from being part of an amazing family at home and at work, it is seeing how people develop, from the start of their career through to themselves taking ownership and leading initiatives that help our clients, our company and everyone within it. I do like to balance life with spending as much time as possible underneath a classic motorbike or car and getting out on the water and harnessing the wind, and all the better when done with family and friends
Don’t try to be the smartest person in the room. People can get worried about what others do and don’t think about how intelligent they are, and see admitting a mistake as a sign of weakness. It is also important to create a team of people with different strengths; to do this, you need to realise our own weaknesses. Recognising your knowledge gaps, and getting a diversity of opinions means that whatever you are working on will be better for it.
As a result I have a strong understanding of the risks faced by both clients and Quorsus, the information needed to manage those risks, and the opportunities for mitigation.
I believe that practical, relevant experience remains key to any business as it faces up to and resolves the many issues confronting financial markets participants today; Quorsus is dedicated to providing that relevant experience across a range of key operational activities and delivering real and relevant results for its clients.
Identifying the risks faced by Quorsus itself and by its clients, and working in partnership to ensure that all those unknown, misunderstood, neglected or underestimated risks are addressed before they can damage either the quality or effectiveness of our delivery or the client relationships that are so important to us.
Never leave addressing a genuine issue because you are too busy – it will likely take far more time and effort to fix later.
At Quorsus, we seek to deliver value to our clients that is not only of the highest quality but steeped in creativity and integrity. Whilst we bring deep subject matter expertise to the table, we also take pride in our agility which allows us to accommodate the ever-changing ecosystem our clients work in.
It is vital to my health and happiness that I work alongside people who value honesty, openness, commitment, and the ability to have a good laugh every now and then. I care about quality
communication, in both verbal and written form, and the ability to be decisive in uncertain situations. I absolutely love to see and experience the world through travel and food (especially
when those come together!).
In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, “speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”. It is not always the biggest or loudest person in the room that generates the most value.
Following this, I spent nine years as an Executive Committee member at Markit, including serving as CEO and Chairman of MarkitSERV and most recently as Group CFO before
retiring. I am now happy to have joined Quorsus as a Non-Executive Director to assist with governance and input into the strategic direction of the firm as it grows.
I like wine, cheese and travelling and, now that I have retired, spend a lot of time watching rugby and cricket with friends.
Risk getting fired for something you DID do rather than for something you DIDN’T do!
Marrying my interest in geopolitical trends to the financial industry is something that I believe will become more important over the coming years. The impact of impending, generation-defining events will be huge, and preparing for them is vital if actors are to navigate the changing landscape smoothly. It is part of what I find most enjoyable about working at Quorsus. Our commitment to the long-term success of our clients means that we don’t just consider what will be of benefit in the short-term. We take the time to understand how we can implement a meaningful programme of change that will lead to sustainable growth in the future.
I have two main passions in my life – sport and politics. As an avid football fan, watching the way the political world has so publicly intertwined with the sport over the past decade prompted me to read into similar events from history. Connecting the dots between the social, economic and political impact of sport, and how it can be used as a means of influence is something I find fascinating. At the very least, thinking about these important topics means I can focus less on being disappointed by Arsenal.
Always take the chance to learn. Before joining Quorsus, I had little experience in financial services, and I knew this would be a challenge. I found that not being afraid to ask questions when I didn’t understand has really helped expand my knowledge of the industry, and helped me grow important, collaborative relationships. Although it can be difficult to admit when you are struggling, it is such an important step – not only to achieve personal and professional development, but to building trust with your colleagues. Ultimately, being open and honest about areas you aren’t confident in will help you improve, and lead to a better outcome for the group.
The current focus of my work is in strategy and operating model design, and I have greatly enjoyed working in collaboration with clients to apply design thinking and the principles of good design to business contexts. My experience in this area has covered current state assessments, Target Operating Model design, and managing the transition of a target operating model into a newly formed business entity.
Previously, I have held business analysis and project management positions on an array of projects spanning large scale mortgage remediation programmes, post-merger integrations and risk transformation initiatives.
Professionally, my interests lie in developing a deeper understanding of the intricacies of global financial services. I’m constantly seeking to develop my knowledge of financial markets, products and institutions, and how they piece together both at an organisational level and as a part of the wider financial ecosystem. For me, an important part of this is also understanding the impact of financial services on the individual, and the significant role it plays in people’s everyday lives.
On a more personal level, I’m an avid sportsman and can most likely be found on a cricket pitch in the summer or a hockey pitch in the winter, with an assortment of other racquets and clubs found in my hands in the time in-between.
If you don’t know, ask.
I have experience implementing industry UAT for an OTC credit derivatives matching, confirmation and regulatory reporting platform built using cloud based technology. My previous roles have also given me PMO experience within the non-financial risk management department of a Tier I investment bank. I like to encourage the implementation of different technology and enjoy watching the financial services industry evolve through the use of emerging technologies.
It goes without saying that the two things I am most passionate about in my life are my family and friends. I have been fortunate enough to be raised and surrounded by very strong and motivating individuals and as a woman, it is one of my passions to ensure I support and motivate fellow women in business.
Embrace change! Create a space and environment that will allow you to easily identify areas of improvement and embrace the change that will allow those potential improvements to see the light. Don’t allow yourself to settle, acknowledge and celebrate your achievements but know there is always room for improvement and enhancements and its best to embrace that fact.
Studying Business and Management BSc at university, I was fuelled by a curiosity, immersing myself in the literature surrounding the field, increasing my understanding of the various theories. This is how I became aware of the emphasis and value I place on high quality output, and is part of why I take pride in my work.
Undertaking a Business Consultancy module in my final year, I discovered just how enjoyable and rewarding working with a team towards a beneficial and valuable outcome for a client could be.
Here at Quorsus, I’m thrilled to be a part of a collaborative and supportive environment where both the team and my skills can be channelled and maximised, with quality and value at the forefront of all practices.
In my career, I’m passionate about working hard to deliver innovative output. In my spare time, it manifests itself in taking film photos, drawing, visiting art galleries, learning the bass guitar, and running.
It’s all a mindset. Be positive, supportive, and adaptive.
Being a part of the team at Quorsus gives me the opportunity to enhance my regulatory knowledge daily and utilise my research and analytical skills in the financial space.
By fully understanding the rationale underpinning the regulations, as well as the challenges faced by clients, ensures we can develop and tailor innovative solutions.
We are also able to go one step further by collaboratively including every unique, yet complimentary, skill set of each Quorsus team member.
I enjoy keeping fit, focusing on weightlifting and sports nutrition. I enjoy being intellectually challenged at work and going to the gym enables me to also challenge myself physically.
Grasp every opportunity that arises even if it is considered outside of your experience and approach it with an open mind. Such opportunities will be the most valuable lessons to develop both current skills as well as learning new ones. The open and collaborative approach Quorsus take to producing and delivering work means that every opportunity is as available and open to one team member as it will be to the next. Support will always be given to ensure the best possible outcome for Quorsus and our clients alike.
Working in roles within Banking & Capital Markets, Asset Management and Insurance has given me a strong grounding in the financial services landscape as a whole and the interconnectedness of the industry.
I’ve worked on some of the largest changes our industry has seen in recent years including GDPR implementation and Brexit readiness. Through my time in consulting I’ve learned that every organisation is unique, so in order to deliver change successfully you need to get to the heart of what makes that particular organisation tick. It’s never one size fits all. At Quorsus everyone understands the value of being inquisitive, and digging deeper to get to the root of the issue and working together to bring the best solutions to our clients.
Aside from being a keen traveller and a bit of a foodie, I’m passionate about learning about other people & cultures and am a strong advocate for increasing diversity across the Financial Services industry.
Always be open to change.
After graduating I spent two and a half years working on a remediation project looking into the mistreatment of small businesses during the financial crash. This experience gave me an understanding as to why regulations are important, and what the consequences can be if they are not followed, both for the institution, and the clients affected. I feel this knowledge will help me as I move into the next stage of my career with Quorsus.
As well as horse riding and cooking I am passionate about travel. I think its important to gain perspective by seeing different ways of life and learning from other cultures.
You can learn something from everyone, even if their opinions differ from your own. A diversity of inputs will lead to a more well-rounded outcome. This is especially important when working in the collaborative and open environment at Quorsus.
Within this time, I have worked with technology vendors to provide solutions to clients in the CLM space, which takes the products and then wraps specialised Consultants both with the SME knowledge of the issue, such as an upcoming regulation, and individuals who are technically literate, to provide efficient and high quality results to clients. Showing collaboration is key, which is something that Quorsus brings with its varied background of Consultants.
As the industry grows technologies are being used more and more and Quorsus gives me the opportunity to work with clients not only for their short term problems, but also working out how they can use these as part of their BAU going forward.
I love a challenge, both within work and outside of work. This has led to me to signing up to a number of sporting events from the London Marathon to Prudential Ride100. Another passion of mine is learning, I enjoy learning from others and researching in my spare time. I’m especially intrigued around Artificial Intelligence and how it is fits within the Financial industry, but also how it is used in everyday life.
Always ask questions – it can always seem daunting when you start a new job, or project and you may feel that you can’t ask questions, however as I have been told throughout my career ‘you will only regret the question you don’t ask’. By asking questions you will learn a significant amount more than staying silent.
I am as passionate now as I was on day one to use the best skills and tools to solve business problems.
A devotee of life-long-learning, in particular I follow the ongoing digital transformation and the effect it is having on people and organisations. My role is to combine and optimise the two to deliver results. I have SME-level skills in data management, analytics, machine learning, visualization and robotic process automation (RPA).
I thrive in the collaborative, curious and supportive environment that Quorsus provides and look forward to passing that approach on to clients and partners.
I am passionate in my search for the best skills and tools to solve business problems.
Always take a backup.
Beginning my career in 1990 in the Derivative Operations department at Bankers Trust, I spent the next 20 years at Deutsche Bank, CSFB and VTB Capital, managing, implementing and delivering through a time of significant change in the banking industry.
In 2010, I joined Sapient as a director in the management consulting division. I was involved in work for investment banks, industry associations and market infrastructure providers, with a specific focus on post-trade services, regulatory response work programs and assisting clients to steer and manage large projects focusing on OTC clearing. Most recently, I was Head of Treasury Operations at the Co-operative Bank, leading the department through a period of intense transition and transformation.
The common theme throughout my career has been change and delivery. At Quorsus, I firmly believe we have the right combination of highly skilled, experienced and motivated personnel coupled with a proven methodology to provide the highest quality service to our clients.
Music, sport, film, books, travel, history, wine, food, family, friends – in short, society and what binds us together.
Collaboration and teamwork are at the core of any successful endeavour. Don’t think you can do everything on your own, the vast majority of time you can’t.
Having the opportunity to work alongside diverse partners with a stake in regulatory change; supporting and encouraging new approaches and helping to realise the laudable objectives that underpin G20 and other global regulations are all fundamental to my enjoyment of working in this sector.
Quorsus fully encourages a collaborative, open and inquisitive approach, which is essential in the current regulatory and change landscape, and helps to facilitate an enjoyable and successful journey towards delivering client solutions.
Other than Literature and Medieval History & Architecture and Shakespeare, I am a passionate advocate for gender equality. I encourage and embrace diversity and fluidity at all levels. I believe that Quorsus absolutely endorses these beliefs.
Always be open to new ways of looking at things and always willing to accept that you might be wrong.
Whilst I love to get into the detail, my real passion is trying to see the bigger picture and how everything pieces together, which is why I am fascinated by the interconnectedness of the industry, the divergent identities across it and how change can affect everyone differently. At Quorsus, there is a strong collaborative mindset that aims to help the industry as a whole, as well as individual clients. Integrity is a core value at Quorsus, which really resonates with me. Change can be difficult to effect, but no matter the hurdles nor how tough the problem is, we believe in doing the right thing for the client (even if it means having to start from scratch or working 24/7 to get it done!). Achieving a quality outcome that is right for the client is always the most important thing.
Aside from Liverpool FC, dogs and box sets, my main passion is learning. Having spent years pretending to be too cool for school I have now learnt to embrace my inner geek. The collaborative and open environment at Quorsus means you get to learn from people every day and you are always empowered to be inquisitive and authentic.
When I first started working, someone once said to me that you should always learn from everyone around you whether it’s their first day on the job or they’ve been doing it for 50 years. Everyone has a different way of thinking and various factors that will shape their viewpoint. No one knows everything, so having multiple perspectives will often actually get the best outcome.
During that time, I have worked on some of the most major industry change projects to occur in recent years including the DTCC TIW Blockchain Re-platforming, and the launch of LCH’s Swap-agent. I have also worked with banks and businesses to help them define their strategy and the best operating model that will enable them to achieve this. I’ve worked on projects including Nomura’s
global Client Lifecycle Management operating model, the operating model for The Stroke Association to enable them to better serve and support people affected by stroke, as well as the
operating model for The Crown Commercial Services to help them assist buyers in central government and across the public sector.
Quorsus’ commitment to quality and client outcomes are values I have held throughout my career thus far. The opportunity to work with some incredibly knowledgeable and talented people who are all driving to deliver great client solutions is something I couldn’t turn down.
I am a hugely passionate about all aspects of design and how good design is something that is used constantly but that people don’t even think about. This extends from everyday objects services through to video games (another big passion of mine) and on to businesses and governments. I am also a big proponent of diversity in all its guises with a passion for LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality.
Don’t take life too seriously.
For me, the big thing about coming to Quorsus was about continuing to expand my knowledge of consulting and understanding the needs of the financial industry when helping their companies to succeed.
At Quorsus, we are surrounded by a strong and motivated support network, allowing us to really focus on the things that give energy and that will help both individuals and teams reach their full potential.
I am most passionate about my family, travel and making my “perfect pickles”.
It’s a small industry, so take the time to get to know who is on the other end of the email as you never know when your paths may cross again.
With a subsequent transition into regulatory reporting, both within trade processing and in an IT capacity for a tier 1 investment bank, I’ve witnessed the industry adapt to transformational regulatory reforms. As such, I was fortunate to help deliver transaction reporting solutions for CFTC, EMIR and MiFID II. As a technical analyst with a strong focus on process engineering and requirements elicitation, I’ve had the opportunity to work with diverse teams and stakeholders across a spectrum of business functions.
Quorsus has successfully amassed a network of industry specialists and SMEs with varied and complementary skills and expertise. It encourages thought leadership and creates an ideal environment for collective achievement by encouraging positive working practices and emphasising core values.
Ensuring that we feel valued and have the support to enable us to thrive in our roles.
It may sometimes seem easier to work alone but it limits the scope of what is achievable.
Ask for help when you need it and offer it generously.
For the last few years, I have been working as a Director in a Big 4 Consultancy. My focus has remained on Banking and Capital Markets, delivering programmes of change for Banks, across
Process Optimization, Strategic Cost Reduction, Digital Transformation, Brexit readiness, Client Outreach and Regulatory planning.
The challenges facing the Banking Industry continue to grow and evolve. Quorsus bring an excellent blend of skills and experience, along with a collaborative ethos that helps us partner effectively with our clients and meet these challenges going forward.
Away from the office, I most enjoy spending time with my family (my wife and two rapidly-growing daughters). I also love all sports. I enjoy playing squash and golf, coaching junior hockey and watching or following most every other sport. A frustrated wannabe test cricketer, English batting collapses still affect me deeply!
At work, I particularly enjoy the intellectual challenge of problem-solving. I love to connect the dots between the individual business challenges, to the combination of people, process, data and
technology solutions that will drive the best outcome for the client.
Always try to understand where other people are coming from. Empathy makes collaborating a lot easier and you are much more likely to solve a problem if you can look at it from every angle.
I have strong core values associated with doing the right thing and doing right by people – so this is where my work passions lie and Quorsus is completely aligned to that. This coupled with a consistent drive to deliver quality right across the firm makes Quorsus very exciting to be a part of.
Outside of work, my passion is sport – watching mainly, but I am an exceptionally keen golfer, fascinated by the fact that I am still able to improve in spite of my days of being able to run around being somewhat behind me.
My piece of advice is keeping things simple is always best – the easier a piece of work is to understand, the greater the value that people can provide – the greater value people can provide, the higher chance of a successful outcome.
My experience lies within the transformation and change space, working as a PMO, as well as business management, setting up a standardised RFP process. I have also worked as an
analyst within a trading pre-matching team. I thoroughly enjoyed the variety and the challenges they have brought. I enjoy being at Quorsus as it allows me to be constantly learning and growing, while remaining in a specialised consultancy.
I love nothing more than being outdoors, whether that be hiking, skiing, diving, on the beach… just preferably somewhere cut off from the rest of the world! A more day to day passion of mine is the ability to empower others, it’s a reason why I love being at Quorsus.
It’s an incredibly supportive place to work, and we hold regular Women’s network events which reiterate this.
Be your own best friend, all those supportive and kind things you would say to your friends, turn around and say to yourself now and again. It’ll do wonders for your confidence and
ability to face challenges head on!
Seeing the financial crisis firsthand, and being a small part of the rebuilding process, not only helped me appreciate the importance of a well-run financial sector, but also drove home how many people rely on it. This engenders a sense of fulfilment and purpose for me, especially in the ever-changing regulatory landscape. Helping clients navigate these waters with the support of the truly excellent team at Quorsus is what drives me to do my best work possible.
Client centric thinking. Putting yourself in the client’s shoes to see the world from their point of view. This helps you understand how you are able to add value and help them choose the
best options in front of them, including some they haven’t considered.
Hire Quorsus!
They occupy a unique position in the market playing an important independent role in large industry change, sitting between the financial institutions and vendors, to drive needed market solutions.
CIO Market Technology - Global Investment Bank
These guys demonstrate a thorough understanding of the markets ecosystem and have a respected network to get industry insights and my peers’ perspectives. It helps they are easy to engage and work with.
Head of Product Development – Financial Market Infrastructure
It is important to me that consultants bring not only knowledge and experience, but an approach that cuts through internal barriers. Ryan and the team came well–prepared with research on current market thinking and pushed our boundaries to position us as thought leaders in this space.
Managing Director – Financial Market Infrastructure
This team pulled together the disparate threads of my complex operating model challenge, aligned all the stakeholders to an achievable vision and got us to a point where we could execute on the output.
Head of Transaction Management and Operations – Global Investment Bank