2026 Focus
Market-Driven Priority Themes for Investment Managers in 2026
Based on recurring client requests, ongoing mandates, and observed market dynamics
Operating Model Benchmarking & Front-to-Back Blueprinting
Why should you care?
Do you really know how expensive, scalable, and resilient your operating model is compared to peers, across front, middle, and back office?
What is it?
A structured benchmarking of your front-to-back operating model covering efficiency, scalability, risk, and regulatory readiness, combined with the design of a target operating model aligned with your strategy.
What's in it for you?
Faster benchmark results that trigger targeted redesign initiatives with payback periods of ~18–24 months, rather than long and costly assessment and transformation programs.
Cost Efficiency, Commercial Benchmarking & Margin Improvement
Why should you care?
Many Investment Managers focus on revenue growth while structural cost and margin leakages remain invisible across products, data, trading, hedging, and operations.
What is it?
Benchmarking of cost structures, pricing models, and cost-income dynamics across the value chain, combined with the design of focused cost and margin improvement initiatives.
What's in it for you?
Actionable recommendations to improve margins through specific, experience-based levers — not across-the-board cost cuts — often funding themselves via 'spend-to-save' effects.
Product & Distribution Competitiveness (Traditional, Semi-Liquid, Tokenized)
Why should you care?
Are you aware that AuM growth and margins are currently driven by only a small subset of product types, while large parts of the product shelf dilute profitability?
What is it?
An assessment of whether your product and distribution capabilities are up to date and scalable across traditional, semi-liquid, and tokenized structures, including pricing logic and investor behaviour shifts.
What's in it for you?
Clear guidance on where to participate, where not to, and what needs to change in your operating model to capture growth without increasing complexity or cost.
AI Strategy, Data Operating Models & Digital Transformation
Why should you care?
Most firms invest in technology and AI, but few can explain which investments actually change outcomes versus those that increase complexity and risk.
What is it?
Benchmarking of your operating model focused on AI and technology usage, combined with the design of AI strategy, governance, and data operating models that translate pilots into scalable capabilities.
What's in it for you?
Reduced execution risk, clearer investment priorities, and the ability to use AI and data as leverage — not as isolated experiments.
Special Situations Advisory
Why should you care?
Transactions, carve-outs, and restructurings often fail not on valuation, but on operating model blind spots before and after the deal.
What is it?
Advisory support across buyer and target identification, pre-DD and DD, and the design of post-transaction operating models, including carve-outs and integrations. Where situations demand hands-on leadership, we also place qualified board members and interim management — short or long term — to stabilise, restructure, and turn performance around.
What's in it for you?
Faster execution, fewer surprises post-close, and value preservation beyond the transaction.
Get In Touch
Let's Discuss Your Priorities
Whether you recognize one theme or all five — we'd welcome a conversation about where your firm stands and where it could go.