Global funds network Calastone has made three hires to support the next stage of its growth and its mission to digitize the investment funds market: Ahsan Raza becomes CFO; Varun Atre, head of product; and Paul Elflain, head of distributed market infrastructure (DMI) sales.
Raza brings over 15 years of experience in working with institutional clients in the financial technology, market infrastructure and asset management sectors. He was an early fintech champion, being one of the first bankers to start building dedicated fintech coverage in Europe and has had particular success in the fund distribution and wealthtech space. Before joining Calastone, Raza was a managing director and co-head of the technology investment banking coverage team for Barclays for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In his new role as CFO he is responsible for managing all financial and strategic activities of the business.
Varun Atre, as head of product, will oversee the continued innovation of Calastone’s product offering. Atre brings over 15 years of experience in technology and financial services. Prior to Calastone, he 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.
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 DMI fund services solution forward. Elflain brings experience in leadership roles at global technology firms, including Linedata, FIS Global and DTCC Omgeo.
“The funds industry is facing pressure to innovate and digitally transform with an increasing need to provide better experience and value to investors,” says Julien Hammerson, Calastone’s CEO. “We aim to support the industry through its digital transformation by combining the best technology with the connectivity of our global network. [These hires will…] help us deliver on this mission.”
