Stefan Rolf, global head of securitisation and private debt at IQ-EQ, answers SCI's questions

Q: Your role was established when you joined IQ-EQ in July (SCI 19 July). Why has the new position been created and what does it entail?
A: In a nutshell, the new role will see me further developing IQ-EQ’s securitisation and private debt offering worldwide – building out our client base in this space and expanding upon the existing administration service offering. The creation of the role comes in the context of IQ-EQ’s overall strategy, which is based on its three servicing segments: fund and asset managers; private and institutional asset owners; and debt, capital markets and corporates.

Traditionally, IQ-EQ’s backbone has been its funds business. Now, the group is aiming to diversify its offering more widely and focus on adding further strength to its other segments - in this case, the capital markets area. My appointment has come alongside two other recent key hires: the head of insurance and the head of debt restructuring. So, my new role is not to be seen as an isolated single step, but as an integral part of a broader build-out of the segment as a whole.

Q: How is IQ-EQ seeking to extend its service range in securitisation and private debt?
A: The funds business serves as a strong core of IQ-EQ’s business today and, as such, the current product range in the securitisation area focuses predominantly on fund administration and corporate services. The aim is to expand the product and service range along the entire value chain, adding advisory, structuring and distribution service capabilities to enhance the client experience journey into a one-stop shop.

Q: What role do administration capabilities play in advisory, structuring and distribution services? How do you hope to improve on these?
A: It is not only about a single or a few products being improved or added. The aim is to build a fully integrated solution for the client - from onboarding, via advisory on financing or balance sheet management solutions, to data cleansing and reporting, structuring and placement solutions, and of course fund administration and corporate services from the beginning until the close of the fund. Ultimately, the client will decide if they wish to engage IQ-EQ for the complete solution or selected modules.

Q: How is IQ-EQ looking to expand in the future? Are there any particular opportunities you are looking to capitalise on?
A: IQ-EQ has ambitious growth and revenue targets and will continue to grow organically and inorganically in the years to come - particularly in key growth markets such as the US and Asia. Going forward, we will seek opportunities to further leverage our technology-driven, scalable and customer-centric business approach, as well as our highly efficient use of capital to cement our leading position.

Q: How does IQ-EQ differentiate itself from competitors?
A: IQ-EQ is a very entrepreneurial place, where focus isn’t on hierarchy but rather on having open discussions to find the best solution for the client. This not only makes us more agile but also special in the way we go the extra mile. We are always striving to improve, to evolve in line with our clients’ needs and be a true partner to our clients.

Q: How do ESG considerations fit into IQ-EQ’s business?
A: ESG considerations are right at the centre of all we do – both in terms of our clients’ needs and our own ESG credentials. On the client side of things, IQ-EQ’s mission is to help global investors invest and preserve capital in a sustainable and compliant manner. Last year, we launched IQ-EQ Compass, an integrated platform focused on helping clients achieve ESG compliance and build resilience - primarily through benchmarking, analysis and consolidated reporting - and we’re now making moves to further expand our ESG service offering across our segments.

As a group, we have an ESG statement that sets out our global approach to sustainability and forms the basis of our decision-making. We have a growing sustainability team to build upon this agenda, we’re a signatory of the UN PRI and a participant of the UN Global Compact. We’ve also recently partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects and made significant steps towards achieving gender equality in our senior ranks, such that one-third of our group management team is female – the list goes on.

Q: What do you anticipate for the future of the market and IQ-EQ’s role in it?
A: The current market environment is volatile and challenging and will continue to be this way for some time to come. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that this is exactly why we will be much more successful in the future than many of our peers and achieve our group ambition to be the leading investor services provider globally.

We take on the challenge, carefully analyse the situation of each of our clients and make use of the opportunity that dynamic market environments offer. We do so by being a very good listener, and by being agile and focused on our clients and our core values over the long term.

Claudia Lewis