Calastone, a global funds network, has made three strategic hires to support the next stage of its growth and its mission to digitalise the investment funds market.
Calastone has appointed early fintech champion and experienced banker Ahsan Raza as CFO; former McKinsey and Company Associate Partner Varun Atre as Head of Product, and leading technology executive Paul Elflain as Head of DMI Sales. Each of these hires brings vast experience in financial services, fintech, and technology, to support Calastone in the next stage of its growth, as it continues to expand its leadership providing technology solutions to global funds organisations.
About the new strategic hires, Julien Hammerson, Chief Executive Officer at Calastone, says: “The funds industry is facing pressure to innovate and digitally transform with an increasing need to provide better experience and value to investors. We aim to support the industry through its digital transformation by combining the best technology with the connectivity of our global network. I’m thrilled to welcome the exceptional talent and experience that Ahsan, Varun and Paul bring to help us deliver on this mission.”
Ahsan Raza joins Calastone’s senior leadership team as CFO. Ahsan brings over 15 years of experience in working with institutional clients in the financial technology, market infrastructure and asset management sectors.
Ahsan was an early fintech champion, being one of the first bankers to start building dedicated fin tech coverage in Europe and has had particular success in the fund distribution and WealthTech space. Before joining Calastone, Ahsan was a Managing Director and Co-head of the Technology Investment Banking Coverage team for Barclays in EMEA. In his new role as CFO Ahsan is responsible for managing all financial and strategic activities of the business.
Ahsan Raza, Chief Financial Officer at Calastone, says: “I’m delighted to join Calastone, a company that I’ve both advised and admired for a number of years. Calastone is truly leading the industry in helping solve challenges for fund managers and distributors using technology and I’m excited to be working with Julien and the rest of the team on the next phase of its growth journey.”
Varun Atre joins Calastone as Head of Product, in which role he will oversee the continued innovation of Calastone’s product offering. Varun brings with him over 15 years of experience in technology and financial services. Prior to Calastone, Varun was an Associate Partner in McKinsey & Company’s London office, where he helped guide a range of technology and financial services clients define product and go-to-market strategies.
Varun Atre, Head of Product at Calastone, says: “Calastone’s drive towards constant innovation in product and services makes it an energising and exciting place to join. Calastone is providing the fund management sector with vital and much-needed digitalisation to meet investors’ and fund managers’ evolving needs. I’m pleased to be joining a company that is not only at the cutting edge in its field but is also constantly pushing to innovate even further.”
Paul Elflain joins Calastone in a newly created role as Head of DMI Sales, bringing his over 25 years’ experience in fintech and capital markets to drive Calastone’s industry leading DMI Fund Services solution forward. Paul brings experience in leadership roles at global technology firms including Linedata, FIS Global and DTCC Omgeo.
Paul Elflain, Head of DMI Sales at Calastone, says: “I’ve been closely connected to fintech and the funds industry throughout my career, and I can say that Calastone and our DMI Fund Services offering is truly unique. Our services provide for the first time a fully digital, real-time infrastructure for the entire funds industry to operate on, which is an exciting and much-needed innovation. I’m excited to be part of that mission to digitalise.”
