Global sourcing by fund managers: The road ahead and how to manage it

From where fund management companies obtain their operational support has become a more complex question over the past twenty years. To a large extent, this is simply a reflection of developments seen in the broader business world in terms of changes to business models and the need for operating models to keep in step. Allied to this is the greater range of sourcing options now open to companies, largely on the back of the technology revolution. It is clear that further change lies ahead, with business models becoming ever more specialised and collaborative. Coping with these developments puts a lot of pressure upon fund managers to 'glue' together these more fragmented operational elements to achieve control, efficiency, risk management and output, while maintaining sufficient flexibility to adapt to the ever-increasing pace of business and consumer change. Not all operational departments are equipped with sufficient competencies and processes to undertake proper supply chain management and thus get the most out of these new sourcing options. This paper looks firstly at the broader sourcing environment, and then at what fund managers need to have in place to cope with the business and operating changes that are taking place.