Valérie Mantot – Groene joined Apex Group Ltd from SANNE GROUP to continue leading the firm’s growth and performance across the APAC region. She brings more than 20 years’ experience in investment management. A qualified Lawyer with a broad ranging set of skills and experience, she is well positioned to lead Apex across APAC and continue to deliver its single-source message to the local market; across fund solutions, financial solutions and corporate solutions.
Apex business is unique in its ability to reach globally, service locally and provide cross-jurisdictional services. With our clients at the heart of everything we do, our hard working team has successfully delivered on an unprecedented growth and transformation journey and we are now represented by over 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide.
Our single-source solution enables us to deliver an extensive range of services across the full value chain, to asset managers, capital markets, corporates and family offices. We have continually improved and evolved our capabilities to offer the broadest range of services in the industry; including capital raising and advisory services, fund services, super ManCo services, digital banking, depositary, custody, corporate services and a pioneering ESG Ratings and Advisory solution.
Leadership and Industry Trends:
Mike Sim (MS): As a leader at Apex, how do you approach adapting to emerging trends in the financial services industry?
Valerie: It requires agility and innovation, which are embedded in Apex’s DNA. We focus on having a clear vision and goals, enabling us to anticipate changes and make decisions swiftly. Transparency is also crucial; we keep the organization informed about changes and involve them in the decision-making process. We follow a three-step approach: analyzing, preparing, and acting.
Intelligence Women’s Private Equity Summit APAC 2024 – Valerie as moderator with a panel of inspiring ladies
Mike Sim (MS): How do you foster innovation within your team to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving financial landscape?
Valerie: We keep our team connected to the ecosystem, allowing them to internalize and improve their job performance. Empowering our team members enables them to make decisions within the framework of our vision and mission. Leading by example is essential; our senior leaders demonstrate innovation, setting a silent message for others to follow.
Global Reach and Local Service:
Mike Sim (MS): With Apex’s global presence, how do you ensure the company’s services are tailored to meet the unique needs of clients in different regions?
Valerie: Balancing global standards with local requirements is key. Successful firms understand the importance of adapting to diverse client needs while maintaining a consistent global standard. We identify areas where global standards stand out, such as regulatory compliance, and strive to implement them locally, ensuring a seamless global offering with a local touch.
Mike Sim (MS): Can you share an example of a successful cross-jurisdictional service delivery that highlights Apex’s capabilities?
Valerie: Let’s take the example of US-based private equity managers, traditionally focused on the US market and its investors. However, due to changing preferences, they’re now expanding globally, targeting diverse regions like Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. As a service provider already established in the US, these managers approached us to facilitate their expansion. We’ve followed their lead, adapting our services to new jurisdictions and becoming trusted partners in the process.
While in the US, we primarily offer fund administration (FA), in regions like Asia and Europe, we’ve expanded to include compliance services and more. This approach allows for cross-selling opportunities within the same company and across different regions.
By aligning with our clients’ evolving strategies and geographic footprints, we’ve grown alongside them. To ensure success, it’s crucial that our services maintain consistent quality across regions, fostering stability and trust with our clients. We’ve leveraged our experience, such as in the USA, to train teams in various jurisdictions, ensuring a seamless client experience regardless of location. With a track record spanning over 20 years, including longstanding clients from Bermuda and 15 years in Asia starting from HK, we’ve built enduring relationships that speak to our commitment to client satisfaction and continuity.
Client-Centric Approach:
Mike Sim (MS): Apex emphasizes being “client-centric.” How does this approach influence the development of new services and solutions for clients?
Valerie: Being client-centric is more than just a mantra; it’s the guiding principle that shapes everything we do. It’s about truly listening to our clients, understanding their unique needs, and anticipating their expectations. Our clients are at the heart of our business model, driving every decision we make.
Whether we’re implementing new technologies, hiring new talent, or expanding into new markets, it’s all with the sole purpose of better serving our clients. Every initiative is grounded in a real client business case, ensuring that our efforts directly contribute to their success.
For example, our expansion into Asia wasn’t driven by market trends or internal ambitions; it was in response to a specific client request. We started with just one client and have since grown our presence in the region, all because we’re committed to supporting our clients wherever they need us.
Mike Sim (MS): In your experience, what are the key considerations when providing a full value chain of services to diverse clients, including asset managers, corporates, and family offices?
Valerie: At Apex, we take a holistic approach to client experience. We don’t simply view ourselves as a service provider; rather, we see ourselves as strategic partners, an extension of our clients’ capabilities and teams. For us, it’s about more than just following instructions; it’s about actively contributing to our clients’ success.
We assist our clients in various aspects, from reporting to cash management to NAV management, to corporate and compliance support, acting as seamless extensions of their teams. Building trust takes time, and we invest heavily in understanding our clients’ organizations and their unique challenges. By being agile and responsive, we add tangible value to our clients’ operations.
Our goal is to alleviate our clients’ operational burdens. We approach every interaction as a partnership, working collaboratively to find solutions and enhance outcomes. We don’t just see ourselves as asset servicing vendors; we’re problem solvers, committed to delivering tangible results and driving mutual success.
Digital Transformation and Ecosystem Integration:
Mike Sim (MS): How has Apex embraced digital transformation, and in what ways has it impacted the company’s ability to serve clients effectively?
Valerie: At Apex, we approach digital transformation with a dual focus on growth and optimization. We aim to leverage digital tools to enhance our effectiveness, streamline processes, and reduce operational costs. This includes both internal and external initiatives, all driven by our client-centric approach.
Internally, we prioritize aligning our resources with the most relevant projects and ensuring our team has the necessary skills for the future landscape. We recognize the evolving skill sets required, which may extend beyond traditional accounting backgrounds to include expertise in data analytics and other tech emerging fields.
From a revenue perspective, our focus is on improving the quality and speed of our services. By delivering better results more efficiently, we anticipate increased client satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately leading to enhanced revenue opportunities. Additionally, we have invested in developing our own proprietary software for various tasks and functions, which not only benefits our internal operations but also serves as a valuable tool for our clients in managing investor relationships. (e.g. digital onboarding, CRM performance, ESG performance)
Clients often turn to us for guidance on their digital transformation journeys, seeking advice on how to enhance efficiency and drive revenue generation while realizing cost savings. We’ve transitioned from merely providing digital solutions to becoming trusted advisors, offering strategic insights to support our clients’ organic development and overall success.
Mike Sim (MS): In the era of interconnected financial ecosystems, how does Apex navigate collaboration with other industry players and service providers?
Valerie: We recognize the importance of understanding our role within the broader ecosystem wherever we operate. We actively engage with stakeholders and seek out opportunities for collaboration and partnership. Our approach goes beyond mere revenue-driven motives; we are committed to advocacy and contributing positively to the ecosystem in which we operate.
Through collaboration and open dialogue, we strive to address challenges collectively and capitalize on emerging trends. We believe in building strong relationships with stakeholders, even in jurisdictions where we may not be directly regulated.
Our presence in various regions allows us to share insights and best practices, benefiting the ecosystem as a whole. Our commitment to collaboration extends beyond competition; we are here to support and contribute to the success of our industry partners. By fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual benefit, we aim to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders involved.
Career Development and Mentorship:
Mike Sim (MS): How does Apex support the career development of its employees, and what role does mentorship play in the company’s culture?
Valerie: We value our people and prioritize their career advancement. We offer professional training programs, monitor industry trends, and provide opportunities for growth and learning. Our open culture encourages employees to voice their opinions and contribute to shaping our policies. Mentorship and Accelerator programs are integral to our culture; we believe in nurturing talent and developing future leaders.
Sustainability and Impact:
Mike Sim (MS): How does Apex incorporate sustainability into its business practices, and what role does ESG play in the company’s decision-making processes?
Valerie: We wholeheartedly embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, making them an integral part of our company’s ethos. We are actively involved in several global organizations dedicated to promoting ESG practices. Our commitment to sustainability extends to various aspects, including environmental stewardship, emission reduction, and fostering diversity and inclusion within our communities and among our employees.
Through our Apex Foundation, we channel resources towards impactful initiatives focusing on climate action, education, women’s empowerment, and employee welfare. Our employees are passionate advocates for these causes, as evidenced by our collective efforts, such as fundraising treks to destinations like Mount Everest basecamp.
In regions like Kenya, we actively engage in fundraising activities to support local communities, serving as a beacon of ESG leadership. For every new client we onboard, we prioritize the integration of ESG principles into our business practices, viewing it not as a mere obligation but as a fundamental aspect of our operations.
Internally, we have established a dedicated ESG team and initiatives aimed at ensuring that ESG considerations are deeply ingrained in our organizational culture.
By embodying the values of ESG in our actions, we strive to lead by example and inspire positive change within our industry and beyond.
Mike Sim (MS): Lastly, can you share your sound bite?
Valerie: Peer group – leading by example. In challenging environments, there’s always room for growth and learning. Being focused and true to your values, you can achieve ambitious goals while remaining authentic. Dream big and stay grounded—this is the essence of success.
Mike Sim with Valerie
Thank you, Valerie for taking time to share your insights from A Leader’s Perspective on adaptation and innovation.
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