Financial services is one of the most innovative, fast-paced, and complex industries in today’s global economy. Fortunes can turn on a dime and staying ahead of the game requires superior talent combined with a deep understanding of world markets, the nuances of risk, and the vision to identify emerging opportunities. Executive and senior management at Watson Ford strive to inspire and orchestrate change in the industry in order to deliver positive results. Companies increasingly look to us for exceptional executive search services because we hold true to this pioneering spirit.
We are more than a financial services and executive search firm – our mission is to maximize our ability to advise clients facing an increasingly sophisticated set of functional issues and to significantly and consistently improve the quality of our offerings. Given our access to a vast array of skill sets, our clients are able to receive a bespoke service that is highly specific to their needs. Our broad product knowledge ensures that our clients get the profiles that will take their business to the next level. We believe in providing clients with an ideal balance of deep industry knowledge and rich search expertise. Thus, unlike other firms, our clients benefit from a robust collective body of industry and functional knowledge, coupled with an in-depth understanding of the client’s organization, mission, and culture. Watson Ford prides itself on the unique approach we bring to the search process and it is to this end that we dedicate a vast amount of resources and talent to each assignment.
Alternative Investments:
Watson Ford Alternative Investments group is an integral piece of the service offering of our Global Financial Services Practice. Our list of clients is diverse, ranging from alternative investment groups of major financial services houses to independent hedge funds and fund of funds with investable assets ranging in scope from $25 million to several billion. As our group is comprised of individuals with deep knowledge and understanding of numerous alternative investment strategies and products from a variety of viewpoints, Watson Ford works with some of the world’s leading fund and investment managers to identify and retain top talent across nearly every asset specialization with the goal of enhancing client portfolio returns in mind.
Global Banking & Market:
Our business model for global banking and markets continues to evolve as organizations address the challenges of operational efficiency, risk and regulation management, innovation, and talent management. As these new business models evolve, Watson Ford continues to work closely with companies in the sector to identify the competencies and experience required within the organization in order to ensure long-term profitability and growth. Profiles we are covering includes: Sales, Traders, Structuring, Risk Management and Quantitative Analysts. Markets covered are: commodities, Equities, Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange.
Asset & Wealth Management:
The investment profile of asset and wealth management continues to shift in response to changing stock market conditions. Commercial asset management firms, venture funds, hedge funds, and private wealth management firms must all continually reevaluate market strategies. We advise both local and global organizations, assisting them in assessing and recruiting the best-in-class portfolio managers and investment officers in an effort to support their investment profile across the full spectrum of traditional and alternative asset classes. In addition, we at Watson Ford aim to ensure that our clients have the best executive and functional leadership teams to support the infrastructure of their businesses.
Real Estate:
As is well known, the real estate market is currently experiencing severe difficulties in response to the recent global downturn. Watson Ford works with clients across the entire real estate chain, from project developers, investors, banks, and brokers to REITs and open-ended funds in order to help them facilitate change through the development of effective leadership teams that will allow them to meet their current and future business requirements.
Venture Capital & Private Equity:
Our consultants have considerable expertise in finding principal investors for private equity and venture capital firms. Our financial services team also works closely with out other sector experts to assist these firms in assessing and recruiting the best leadership teams for portfolio companies. Each member of our team works closely with the firm’s executive assessment experts on assignments, involving pre- and post- merger/acquisition management assessment, benchmarking leadership talent, and effective succession planning.
Information Technology:
Watson Ford’s Information Technology practice is often faced with challenging and complex retained mandates. However, our team consistently succeeds in recruiting the highest caliber front office technology professionals from across the globe. At Watson Ford, we have developed an impressive track record of sourcing candidates across all products, functions, and geographic locations – all using proven recruitment methodologies and dedication to our clients, which include investment banks, hedge funds, and financial software vendors, just to name a few.
