Taskize at InvestOps Europe: Key insights for the future of investment ops

Left to right: Kishan Bharwad (Head of Product, Taskize), Kerry Alvarez (Head of Account Management, Taskize,) Abbie Pontin (Relationship Manager, Taskize), Simon Gibbs (Head of Partnerships, Taskize)

We recently attended InvestOps Europe, the premier conference where industry leaders share their views on the evolving landscape of investment ops. 

Taskize engaged with clients and peers to explore how our collaboration platform helps teams tackle the complexities of shorter settlement cycles, operational resilience, and data management.  

Here are the key takeaways from six of the sessions we attended, highlighting trends that will shape the future of post-trade operations.

1.COO Panel: The target operating model of 2025 and beyondThis session focused on how investment firms are preparing their operational strategies for the near future. A common theme was the need for data normalisation, reducing toolsets, and eliminating manual processes. 

With firms increasingly embracing cloud adoption and AI-driven automation to optimise their workflows, the panel emphasised the need for strategic flexibility to quickly adapt to changing market conditions. 

Key takeaways: 

• Simplification of tech stacks by removing redundant tools and processes 

• Adoption of cloud technologies to eliminate technical debt 

• Focus on data architecture to enhance decision-making capabilities 

• Testing AI in operational sandboxes to identify use cases that reduce manual workloads

2. Driving closer collaboration between cross-functional teamsThis debate emphasised the role of technology in fostering better collaboration across front-to-back office teams. Real-time data sharing and enhanced analytics were identified as critical factors that have improved teamwork. 

Notably, Taskize was mentioned by one of the panelists as a tool that helps manage both internal and external queries, enabling smoother and more efficient collaboration across teams.  

Key takeaways: 

• Technology is breaking down silos between teams, improving overall efficiency 

• Tools like Taskize enhance operational collaboration by streamlining communication and query management 

3. Meeting T+1 requirements in EuropeThis addressed the implications of moving to T+1 settlement cycles and how firms can automate their post-trade processes to manage such shorter timeframes.  

Europe faces unique challenges due to its multi-country regulatory frameworks and panelists stressed the importance of automation to reduce fail rates and enable teams to focus on more complex tasks. 

Key takeaways: 

• Automation is crucial for real-time issue resolution, especially with the complexities of global time zones 

• Early preparation is essential to manage the ripple effects of back-office process changes 

• Leveraging lessons from the U.S. T+1 implementation to navigate Europe’s specific regulatory landscape 

4. Servicing multi-asset funds

…in which we explored how firms are evolving operations to support more complex, multi-asset investment products. A major challenge identified was data silos that can form when managing different asset classes. To address this, firms are turning to technology solutions that enhance data accessibility and uniformity across both public and private assets. 

Key takeaways: 

• The importance of AI-driven tools that can process and integrate diverse asset data 

• Outsourcing commoditised functions to ensure more efficient data management 

• The need for firms to be flexible in their operational models as digital assets continue to rise 

5. Building around the clock T+1 capabilitiesAs firms prepare for T+1, this fireside chat emphasised the need to scale operational capabilities globally.  

Automation tools like CTM (Central Trade Manager) are being utilised to ensure seamless integration across time zones. One of the key challenges highlighted was the pressure to modernise workflows while maintaining operational resilience. 

Key takeaways: 

• Firms are leveraging global offices and expertise to optimise T+1 processes 

• T+1 is seen as an opportunity to modernise and automate workflows, with the possibility of T0 (real-time settlement) on the horizon 

• Smaller firms may find an advantage in not having to manage legacy technology, allowing for quicker adaptation 

6. The pathway to T0 settlementsThis session examined the potential of T0 (real-time) settlements, which would further compress settlement cycles beyond T+1.  

The panel discussed the significant technological investments required to achieve this, including a strong reliance on blockchain and distributed ledger technologies. There are still numerous challenges, particularly in foreign exchange (FX), where time zone differences and existing processes make automation difficult. 

Key takeaways: 

• T0 requires substantial industry-wide investment and collaboration 

• The potential for blockchain to eliminate the need for some traditional settlement processes 

• Firms are currently researching the cost and feasibility of T0 settlements, with early-stage discussions taking place with regulators 

Overall, as the industry continues to adapt to new regulatory demands and market dynamics, the focus will remain on reducing complexity, improving data integration, and fostering closer collaboration across all functions. 

Abbie Pontin is Relationship Manager at Taskize