Capital markets consulting firm GreySpark Partners has opened a new office in New York, its first significant presence in the United States.
Founded in 2009, GreySpark has rapidly expanded its reach globally and it has now over 85 consultants delivering projects in multiple countries, with New York being the newest hub after Hong Kong, Sydney and Edinburgh. This move gives GreySpark a firm footing in the region, as the US market continues to generate interesting opportunities but is also going through new challenges posed by regulators and the increased competition.
GreySpark Partners works with investment banks, hedge funds and asset management firms to deliver solutions that work across all asset classes, with a particular focus on risk management and electronic trading.
As US financial markets continue to recover and evolve following the financial crisis, there is a need for highly specialised skills in delivering capital markets expertise around regulation, changing client demands and disruptive technologies. GreySpark’s New York office will provide on-site and local delivery for client projects that are currently being managed from their London headquarters, and look to assist local clients with specific challenges posed by the nuances of the US market.
The team will be led by Andrew McLauchlan, Partner & Managing Director, who will be responsible for the overall strategy and operations, focusing on bringing increased value to existing and new clients. Prior to this role, McLauchlan was based in Edinburgh, where he led GreySpark’s local office supporting in particular wealth and asset management clients. McLauchlan also has a long-standing experience in the APAC region, where he oversaw the establishment and expansion of the firm across the area, including the opening of a new office in Sydney and Hong Kong, and project delivery in countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.
“The US remains a very important market with an extremely mature and sophisticated landscape, and specific needs” says Frederic Ponzo (pictured), Managing Partner, GreySpark. “Now in a phase of recovery and increasing momentum, we are seeing that increasing competition from new entrants, and a demanding regulatory jurisdiction are putting the financial services sector under pressure and generating the need for more specialised consultancy services. We are very much looking forward to supporting our existing clients in the region, as well as providing cutting edge expertise to the growing financial sector.”
McLauchlan adds “After developing GreySpark’s presence in Europe and Asia, I am thrilled about the prospects of working in a new market with an existing and new client base. We’re aiming to assist clients as their goals and scope evolve, and welcome the opportunity to provide firms operating in the region with local expertise and support”.
