DST Global Solutions has appointed Arun Sarwal as Chief Executive of its Investment Management Solutions business. Sarwal, who has been advising the company on its strategy since September 2008, will head a business division comprising around 800 employees across some 16 locations with responsibility for solutions strategy, application development and delivery, client support and consulting services.
DST Global Solutions relaunched in May 2009 into three business divisions: Investment Management Solutions, Business Process Solutions and Customer Lifecycle Management. The Investment Management Solutions business, which is the largest of the three lines of business, will carry the strategic theme “Optimise, Grow, Nurture” across its three distinct areas of focus: asset servicing and investment accounting, comprising HiPortfolio and other accounting and reconciliation tools; data management and analytics, which includes data aggregation, risk (Askari), performance measurement (HiPerformance), client reporting (Reporter) and OTC Life Cycle Manager; and distribution platforms, which includes Bluedoor, a superannuation technology platform acquired in November 2008, along with the activities in this area in the growth markets in the Middle East and China.
Tom Abraham, CEO of DST Global Solutions, says: “Arun’s depth of industry experience combined with his proven leadership in global financial services businesses should ensure success in the transformation we are making to a global, customer centric solutions provider with industry expertise. We are determined to work proactively with our clients to focus on their issues and provide broad ranging, relevant solutions. Those that have worked with Arun will be aware of his industry pace setting track record in innovation and developing business relationships.”
Commenting on his appointment, Sarwal says: “I am delighted to assume the challenge of shaping this business, and will be looking at three key areas. First, building strong and trusting client relationships, particularly with our leading asset management and third party administrator clients. Second, deepening the domain expertise and growing our capability in the key issue areas of the industry such as data management, analytics and OTC derivatives. And most important, releasing the existing potential within the business to be agile, innovative and able to deliver quality by taking a multi-boutique approach to our business activities. I expect us to be known for our ability to deliver consistently on the mantra – addressing global industry issues with timely client relevant solutions.”
Sarwal brings some 25 years’ of global financial services experience with particular emphasis in investment banking, investment and wealth management and outsourcing. Prior to joining DST Global Solutions, he was the chief operating officer at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP) over a period during which it had some €200 billion in assets and more than 750 funds. He has significant experience in outsourcing from being responsible for completing some of the industry’s largest successful outsourcing transactions and subsequent business partnerships with State Street and BNY Mellon.
At SWIP he was responsible for corporate development and strategy, performance measurement, product development, IT, investment administration and finance. During his time at SWIP he completed a three year, front to back IT strategy leveraging on a managed services approach and led the European market entry initiative; he worked on the Middle East joint venture; and he initiated the strategy to develop a scalable and robust platform for derivatives.
During his career, he has worked in senior management positions with ABN AMRO, Société Generale and KPMG, and has gained experience of working in over 25 countries.
