Wealth & Finance International - January 2017

Wealth & Finance International 50 A Platform for Success ynamo™ is a configurable, industry-specific solution for al- ternative investment management, and is currently entrust- ed by over 400 firms worldwide to optimise the productivity of their fund management and asset allocation operations. Dynamo Software’s diverse client base encompasses private equity and venture capital groups, hedge funds, funds of funds, real estate investment firms, endowments, family offices, pensions, foundations, and fund administrators. Dynamo Software’s London, UK office has exceeded the company’s growth expectations in the first 15 months of operation. The London team has seamlessly assimilated existing European Dynamo Software clients, and signed several of Western Europe’s most prominent alter- native investment firms as Dynamo™ users. New clients attained since the Dynamo Software UK office’s inception include IP Group, Aermont Capital, and Rockspring Property Investment Managers. Complementing the accelerated growth, Dynamo Software was awarded ‘Best Asset Management and Reporting Software Company’ by Wealth & Finance in the publication’s 2016 Alternative Investment Awards. This recognition is the result of the company’s emphasis on hiring subject matter experts in alternative investment, ingraining experience into the software platform. Those qualities have naturally extended to the London office’s leadership. The Dynamo Software London office’s operations are led by Angelina Benham-Hermetz, an experienced service director within the European alternative investment industry. Previously serving in a senior consulting role for eFront Ltd., as well as TheNextRound Inc.’s Director of Client Services, and SS&C’s Director of EMEA Operations, Ms. Benham-Her- metz has been instrumental in the London office’s success. “Dynamo’s decision to open a London operation was driven by a clear strategy to increase European presence and consistently offer our clients high standards of local support. Having feet on the ground enables us to stay close to our clients and provide personalised service through regular face to face meetings and workshops,” stated Benham-Hermetz. “Dynamo’s award-winning track record of successful system implemen- tations and project methodology, combined with our strong knowledge of the European market, puts us in a very advantageous position ahead of the other providers in our market. We feel that we are very well- placed to expand Dynamo’s existing partnerships and build close, new relationships that will help us grow further.” Benham-Hermetz has observed significant shifts in European firms’ attitudes toward asset management technology. “General partners have become increasingly educated and sophisticated in selecting software platforms to support their business over the past decade. Technology is seen as a backbone of the contemporary fund manager, delivering not only operational efficiency and data management, but also intelligence, analysis and ongoing flexibility in adapting to the ever-changing regula- tory climate.” Benham-Hermetz adds, “Dynamo’s success in this particular market globally is largely due to our ability to understand the needs of the mar- ket as a whole, and at the same time, offer a tailored solution to each client’s specific requirements.” Benham-Hermetz also feels that Dynamo’s™ flexibility and deep exper- tise in alternative investment benefits limited partners. “The common denominators we come across among limited partners are almost al- ways related to improving risk management and increasing automation. Regardless of the size, LPs commonly face challenges when it comes to collecting, managing and analysing data and assessing risks.” She further notes, “Dynamo’s LP platform not only helps LPs find solu- tions to these complex processes, but is also effectively doing so across widely diversified portfolios. Dynamo has always kept a step ahead of the industry and as a result, the product has grown to a truly multi-asset class platform. The software’s operational due diligence and portfolio monitoring functions further complement Dynamo’s multi-asset class portfolio management offering to create one aggregated platform that benefits everyone in the organisation, from Operations to the Investment Team.” Dynamo Software UK’s exceptional growth has been complemented by positive feedback from the office’s client base. Clearbell Capital, a Dyna- mo Software client that provides private fund management and advisory services focused on real estate, has been impressed with the UK team’s post-implementation offerings. “Since working with Dynamo, we have found that the client ser- vice-hosted webinars and the client events to be very useful for understanding the functionality and long-term aims of the platform and to share experiences with other users,” stated Clearbell PR and Investor Relations Manager Siân Morgan. “We have been impressed by both the industry experience and ongoing support of the London office.” Dynamo Software’s London-based, dedicated European sales and client relations office was founded in October 2015 to augment Dynamo Software’s mission of providing a personalised experience for the Dynamo™ investment management platform. D 1701WF35