Case study
The problem
Our client is the alternative investment platform of a €20 billion publicly listed European investment holding company, operating primarily from London and Luxembourg.
In 2019, they were managing €2.5 billion across private equity funds and direct investments. Despite sophisticated investment capabilities, they faced operational challenges as their portfolio grew in complexity across multiple asset classes, funds and jurisdictions.
Having never outsourced accounting and reporting functions, they needed a partner who could provide a technology-enabled solution that would help them:
- Access real-time portfolio monitoring
- Consolidate data from multiple sources
- Support governance with institutional-grade reporting
- Scale alongside their growth
- Deliver technologically sophisticated solutions backed by expert support
The client came to IQ-EQ seeking to centralise multiple data sources into a single source of truth. They wanted a dedicated system for private markets that could provide the granularity of information their middle and front office teams required, whilst leveraging our scale and technological capabilities – enhancements that would be difficult for a single institution to maintain in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The solution
Our state-of-the-art data transfer capabilities and client-friendly dashboards enable their teams and stakeholders to access performance analysis, conduct detailed portfolio assessments and perform on-the-fly calculations for efficient oversight.
We provided a comprehensive technology-empowered solution through our Asset Owner Solutions which included:
- Portfolio monitoring infrastructure: We deployed our IQ-EQ Cosmos platform, delivering real-time data reporting through a secure online dashboard. The highly customisable platform enables side-by-side assessment of different asset classes, supported by dedicated client onboarding and expert technical support
- Phased implementation: Understanding the client’s hesitation around first-time outsourcing, we structured a phased transition beginning with data migration and board reporting dashboards, then expanding to look-through reporting and central administration
- Fund administration services: When the client launched their first €500 million private equity co-investment fund focused on health and technology sectors, we provided full fund administration including accounting, transfer agency, and analytics, completing onboarding within six weeks during the early COVID-19 pandemic
- Proactive relationship building: Our UK team took a consultative approach, building trust through workshops and live demonstrations using the client’s actual data. This proactive engagement, supported by senior leadership involvement, established confidence in our capabilities before any formal procurement process began
- Continuous enhancement: We continually evolve IQ-EQ Cosmos based on client needs, adding ESG monitoring capabilities to track investments against environmental, social and governance variables and global sustainability benchmarks
The results
By appointing IQ-EQ directly and bypassing their planned RFP process, the client accelerated their timeline and avoided lengthy procurement delays. Our phased approach allowed them to validate our capabilities before full outsourcing commitment.
The client gained institutional-grade portfolio monitoring, consolidating their €2.5 billion portfolio into a single dashboard and dramatically improving reporting quality and investment decision-making efficiency. We successfully onboarded their €500 million co-investment fund within six weeks and provided ongoing administration as the fund deployed capital from both the parent organisation and external investors.
“We combine experienced teams with a proven operating model to maintain accurate data for both IBOR and ABOR. Our technology-enabled solution provides the scale, accuracy and real-time granularity that different stakeholders need, whilst remaining economically viable” says Hugh Stacey, Executive Director – Asset Owner Solutions.
The relationship has expanded significantly from initial reporting to comprehensive fund administration services, with a pipeline of additional funds across real estate, infrastructure, direct debt, technology and impact strategies.
The client’s CFO praised our “responsiveness, dedication, professionalism and team spirit,” the “hands-on involvement of senior leadership,” and “consistently high calibre of service and technical competency.” They particularly valued our ability to tailor IQ-EQ Cosmos to their needs and our commitment throughout challenging periods.
