NAWEED AKRAM

London, UK| +44 7825 075505 | naweed@xgeno.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/naweed

Solution Architect and Innovations Technical Lead

Accomplished and entrepreneurial Technical Innovation Leader, Senior Solutions Architect & Digital Transformation Driver, developing and implementing FinTech solutions and enterprise architectures to underpin global growth & improve performance in highly regulated environments. Known for providing strategic direction, financial budget planning, technical acumen and support as a member of the senior leadership team, spearheading complex IT projects and delivering cutting-edge technology solutions. Proven track record in modernising systems, leading cloud migrations, leveraging AI, building technical teams, and embedding agile methodologies to enhance organisational capabilities. Adept at senior stakeholder engagement, requirement gathering, and influencing. Renowned for positive leadership, versatility, and the ability to translate strategic visions into clear, actionable plans, manage the full life cycle of large-scale projects, and forecast/control budgets. Excels in mobilising and invigorating geographically dispersed multi-national teams, training people to adopt cultural and system changes to improve commercial and operational performance standards, KPIs, and service expectations.

Areas of Expertise

Professional Experience

Investcorp is a leading global manager of alternative investments with 6 business lines, including private equity, real estate, absolute return investments, credit, and infrastructure operating across North America, Europe, India, Asia and the MENA region with $50BN AUM. Reports to, and deputises for, the Head of IT, leading teams of >35 (based out of India, Bahrain, US, and Dubai) and supporting senior stakeholders up to CEO, COO, and CFO level with strategic planning, the execution of a digital transformation, enterprise architecture and innovations.  Roles and selected achievements include:

• Work with the Head of IT and senior leaders in strategic planning, budgeting, technical oversight, and ensuring alignment with business objectives to achieve the strategic goal of growing from $50BN to $100+ BN AUM by 2026.
• Set up the technological enablers required to drive a 4-year $multi-MN capital investment Digital Transformation Programme, and responsible for driving implementation, modernisation/cloud migration, and AI innovation across the firm.
• Provide continuous technical & architectural guidance to senior leaders and project teams across the firm, ensuring projects align with IT strategy, best practices, and governance, enhancing project outcomes and system performance.
• Work with InfoSec and Infrastructure teams to implement new technologies and frameworks in line with the IT strategy every year, enhancing security and infrastructure robustness.
• Lead the architecture and implementation of a firm-wide Data Warehouse and state-of-the-art event Streaming Platform using MS Azure technologies, improving data accessibility and real-time data updates.
• Conducted detailed studies on business processes (alternative asset management, procure-to-pay, KYC/KYB/AML), circulating RFPs, evaluating products, conducting POCs, and recommending solutions. Oversaw implementation, re-engineering processes, and integrating systems to meet business needs.
• Established a Digital Solutions team structured to function more like a product company, enhancing the team's focus on product development and client-centric solutions.
• Led migration of core GL system, PE system, treasury management, & Workflow Management systems to Cloud Platforms.
• Designed & implemented a cutting-edge omnichannel Investor Portal using Salesforce Experience Cloud, Einstein Analytics, and native mobile apps for iOS & Android, and integrated with ‘iCapital Network’ FinTech platform and ID&V technologies, enabling seamless customer onboarding, enhanced investment portfolio monitoring, once-click digital subscriptions, and cross-selling of firm’s products via a strong distribution partner network. This resulted in increasing the client base and boosting AUM by 30%, and enhanced white-glove service to the firm’s institutional and ultra-high-net-worth clients.
• Assisted in establishing an AI Centre of Knowledge dedicated to promoting the adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) technologies across the firm. Conducted POCs such as an HR Policy Chatbot and a Fastest Route Finder for external contacts, sits on the AI committee and leads the AI development team, training and streamlining efforts.
• Spearheaded the firm’s Application Discovery project, formulating a 5-year strategy for the Future Application Landscape to inform legacy system replacement, retirement and/or consolidation decisions.
• Spearheaded cost-saving initiatives, realising a 30% overall reduction in IT operational expenses through various efficiency initiatives, including system consolidations and optimisations. For example, replaced Informatica and IVP MDM with customised Azure-based solutions, while maintaining or enhancing system capabilities.
• Improved DevOps processes, uplifting collaboration between development and operations, developing/implementing a robust Application Testing process & automation, reducing time-to-market and enhancing software delivery & quality.
• Led the migration from Waterfall to Agile product development and demand management processes using Jira, upskilling teams and establishing a PMO with tracking and governance to make projects more efficient and adaptable.
• Replaced the in-house KYC system with SaaS-based KYC/ALM Fenergo ensuring integration with downstream processes & implemented Salesforce CRM, improving sales & order management processes, client onboarding, lifecycle management and compliance.
• Increased SharePoint usage across the firm by implementing bespoke document approval and authoring workflow systems, enhancing document management and collaboration.
• Played a key role in supporting a Finance-IT Enterprise Warehouse Initiative, working with the CFO and COO to enhance financial data management and reporting capabilities.
• Implemented a unified API layer providing data for all internal systems & reports from different sources while respecting user access permissions and a Self-service Data Portal using SharePoint & Azure as a central hub for all interactive reports/datasets across the firm, improving data management and analytics capabilities.
• Conducted a POC to replace Incident/Request & Change management processes with Jira, targeting a 70% cost reduction.
• Supported various audits as part of yearly compliance initiatives, ensuring the firm's adherence to regulatory compliance.

Appointed as a subcontractor, reporting to the Head of Digital Solutions, driving the modernisation of the firm & underpinning a global upscale from 320 people/$7-8BN AUM to 500+ people/$50BN+ AUM.

• Supervised IT projects, ensuring efficient delivery within budget and timelines.
• Designed and developed custom software solutions, including a comprehensive workflow system for invoice and payment processing, reducing processing times by 50% and improving cashflow/balance sheet liquidity.
• Developed a Know-Your-Customer system for high-net-worth individuals to support compliance with AML regulations, improving compliance rates and significantly reducing financial penalty risks.
• Drove systems modernisation, developing & implementing all the firm’s major technology platforms, including Client communication platform, Asset Liability Management system, and the first CRM portal simplifying and embedding customer management, and reducing human error and effort to <10%.
• Enhanced software development methodologies, created SDLC documents, and improved project management processes.

Additional Experience 

Education & Certification

Community Contributions

• Speaker at Microsoft events in Bahrain
• Mentor for Microsoft Imagine Cup finalists
• Attends Gartner technology expert’s programmes
• Open-source contributor
• Hobbyist mobile apps developer
• Experience as an Advisor on the technical design of platforms for start-up ventures
• Runs YouTube forums in a range of subjects, including mobile technologies