Bluerock Views

Bluerock is a specialist Financial Services Management Consultancy. We combine deep content knowledge with many years of experience delivering complex and challenging change. Our seasoned consultants are equally comfortable dealing at Executive level or rolling their sleeves up and delivering hands-on results.

Below are some of the issues we are currently discussing with our clients....

 

Out-Sourcing Benchmark Study

Following a number of successful engagements looking at outsourced deal characteristics and how they inform both the effort and skills required to maximise effectiveness and minimise risk, Bluerock is launching an industry benchmark study to compare best practises across financial services firms. If you are interested to participate please contact Simon Pearce on simon.pearce@bluerock-consulting.com

 

Operational Risk in the Supply Chain

With an increasing focus on cost, efficiency and transparency, the area that often gets neglected is the risk inherent across complex supply chains. Many companies are looking to re-negotiate sourcing contracts but how many truly understand the inter-dependence across their suppliers and businesses. A risk based portfolio view is a vital tool in managing a business. More..

Swine Flu

The World Health Organisation has declared the recent swine flu outbreak to be a "public health emergency of international concern" and warned that it could spark a global pandemic.

Bluerock consultants have helped a number of clients develop specific plans for pandemics, such as SARS and avian flu, and generic plans for coping with the reduced availability of staff. Our work has included drawing up quarantine policies for those travelling back from affected areas, identifying critical staff and critical processes, facilitating home working and re-negotiating work area recovery contracts to allow staff to work from suppliers' offices in the case of transport disruption due to the absence of train services. For more information call Simon Pearce on 0207 213 9760

Life and Pension New Distribution Models

The retail life and pensions distribution landscape is shifting as market reforms such as RDR and the adoption of new technologies take effect. The dominance of traditional routes to market is increasingly being challenged with the growth of direct channels and Bluerock has a track record of working with clients to look at new and innovative ways of doing business in this space.

Sourcing as a "Must Have" Skill

As more businesses rely on a variety of 3rd party technologies and services to deliver their propositions, the management of those relationships become critical to the success of the enterprise.

Embedding TCF

With many firms already labouring to demonstrate compliance (in March 08, 87% of the firms tested failed the MI and Governance deadline) this further scrutiny and the potential for substantial fines, increases the pressure on the industry.

Product Innovation

Many product innovation processes become slow, cumbersome and suffer from lack of cross functional alignment. By adopting a more radical iterative process these barriers can be broken down and a more flexible and nimble approach can be achieved.

 

 

Current News

New Hire for Bluerock - Neil Whittaker

Bluerock are pleased to announce the new hire of our Head of Retail Banking - Neil Whittaker. Neil joins from Hitachi Consulting and has a wealth of experience from time in both industry and consultancy.

Neil commented:

"Retail Banking has been hard hit by the recent and ongoing turmoil associated with the global credit crises and economic downturn. In the months and years ahead clients in this market will face both interesting challenges and multiple opportunities. I am excited about my new role at Bluerock and working with our clients to tackle these challenges head on. Bluerock, with its distinctive track record, innovative solutions and real world experience is well placed to help its clients face and negotiate change, capitalise on opportunities and emerge from the downturn in a better position."

Find out more at our Retail Banking pages or read Neil's profile here.

 

Bluerock's COO in Rolex Fastnet Race

Bob Heath has made an excellent start in the biennial Fastnet race. Competitors sail from Cowes to Plymouth via the Fastnet Rock (the most southerly point of Ireland), a total of 608 miles. They must negotiate challenging tides, obstacles and often bad weather conditions. We wish Bob the very best of luck and invite you to view his progress here on yacht 'Pi Squared'.

Bluerock Chairman Mark Tennant was yesterday named as the new chairman of industry body Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE).

The senior adviser to investment bank JP Morgan can boast a 36-year career spanning several areas of financial services, including investment banking, fund management and pensions. His international experience includes time working in Edinburgh, Lonon, the US and Hong Kong.

Tennant succeeds John Campbell, the managing director of Edinburgh-based State Street Investment Manager Services Europe. Last year, Campbell announced he was stepping down from the unpaid role, which he has held since mid-2003.

Yesterday's appointment was widely welcomed by the industry, which has experienced unprecedented change and upset in the past 18 months. More...

 

Access the News Archive............

 

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Part of what we can offer our clients is the insight and knowledge of the markets, borne of practical experience of the projects and clients that we work with. As a result we periodically publish articles on aspects of the market in which we have particular insight. If you would like to receive these papers in advance of their general release, please provide your details above.

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