Inside the Conversation: Meradia and State Street on Regulatory Readiness and Operational Change

Today, collaboration and knowledge sharing are more critical than ever. Recently, Meradia’s Laurie Hesketh, CIPM and Mick Cartwright, CIPM joined forces with Ian Hissey and Peter Sherriff from Charles River Development, a State Street Company, for an exclusive knowledge sharing session. Together, these experts explored the challenges and opportunities facing asset owners and investment firms worldwide, offering candid insights into regulatory reform, data management, and operational transformation. 

Key Themes 

1. Regulatory Reform and Global Trends

  • Asset owners face mounting regulatory demands, such as Australia’s APRA performance test, which enforces strict benchmarks and transparency. Other countries are looking to Australia’s model to reform their own pension systems, emphasizing fiduciary responsibility and collective approaches.

2. Data Management and Technology Integration

  • The timeliness, availability, and granularity of data are central challenges. Many funds rely on service providers like State Street to streamline data operations, enabling real-time or intraday portfolio updates and reducing the need for large internal teams.  
  • Platforms such as State Street Alpha® and Charles River Investment Management Solution empower clients to manage exposures and risk profiles with near real-time visibility, supporting both investment and performance teams.

3. Portfolio Management Approaches

  • Total Portfolio View (TPV) provides the data foundation for a Total Portfolio Approach (TPA), which focuses on risk budgeting and driving returns. Pragmatic strategies, using proxies and focusing on material exposures, help asset owners stay “roughly right” in a dynamic environment.  

4. Breaking Down Organizational Silos

  • Successful firms overcome internal barriers by fostering cross-asset collaboration and strategic partnerships. Regulatory pressure and visionary leadership are key drivers for integrating business units and achieving holistic portfolio views.  

5. Knowledge Sharing and Industry Collaboration

  • Global knowledge exchange, especially between Australian and Canadian pension funds, accelerates adaptation and innovation. Open dialogue and shared experiences prepare organizations for future client needs and industry shifts.  

6. Lessons from Implementation

  • Strong executive leadership and clear objectives are critical for successful technology adoption. Strategic partnerships, such as relying on a sole custodian, enable rapid delivery of comprehensive portfolio views and operational efficiency.  

Regulatory reform, data-driven operations, and collaborative culture are reshaping investment servicing and portfolio management. Firms that embrace pragmatic solutions, leverage technology, and foster knowledge sharing are best positioned to thrive in today’s competitive environment. 

Read the full article here: How asset owners are adapting to new regulatory and client demands: A conversation with Meradia | State Street 

Download Thought Leadership ArticleExpertises: Clients: Authors: ,

Laurie Hesketh, CIPM

Laurie Hesketh, CIPM is a Managing Director who oversees strategic engagements for Meradia’s clients. Laurie leads and advises on the complex nuances involved in transformation projects from a change management perspective. She is an expert in investment performance as well as the accounting and market data inputs that drive meaningful analytics. A seasoned consultant, Laurie has served many organizations, including asset managers, asset owners, wealth managers, service providers, as well as key industry vendors. Having started her career in technology as an application developer and then application architect, she has a strong understanding of the technological underpinnings that are necessary for large-scale transformation and repeatability.

Mick Cartwright, CIPM

Mick Cartwright is an Enterprise Data Management and Performance Measurement expert with over 20 years of experience in the asset management industry. Working alongside Meradia’s practice leads, Mick helps clients challenge the status quo and identify opportunities to transform systems and processes. His background includes business transformation projects across the front, middle and back office.

Ian Hissey and Peter Sherriff from Charles River Development, a State Street Company