Davey, Matthew

Matthew Davey has spent three decades in the securities services industry across some of the biggest institutions in custody.
Inducted: 2020
Davey began his career in systems as a business analyst at JP Morgan (previously Morgan Guaranty Trust Co), before a short spell at BNY Mellon. From here he joined State Street Bank in 1996, holding various positions in relationship management and investment operations outsourcing, initially in London and later he moved to Boston for two years.

In 2007, Davey returned to JP Morgan to manage custody products for the UK pension fund segment, before heading up complex deals and programme management for UK asset managers. From there he went on to coordinate bid management at HSBC in 2011 and was later appointed head of consultant relations for the EMEA region. In 2014, he returned to State Street where he was appointed senior vice president and head of its asset manager client management group for the UKMEA region.

He then joined Societe Generale Securities Services in Paris, as global head of business solutions. Davey was responsible for expanding the firm’s securities services offering across all market, product and client segments. The role allowed Davey to investigate innovation across the industry and he has subsequently become and industry spokesperson for new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

“It is strange to find that the lessons I learned coding settlement systems as a new graduate are still valid today: the technology has changed, but you still need to know what your business requirements are before you start,” says Davey.

In his current role with SGSS, he has returned to London to head coverage, marketing and solutions for the UK business.

“I have really enjoyed working with some wonderful people over that last 30 years – I think it is these long-term relationships that make securities services special,” he adds. “Working in different locations creates an international network, but it’s great return to London and re-connect with people I have known for years.”

Davey is also known throughout the industry for his work on the Outsourcing Working Group (OWG) Steering Committee and was the lead author for the group’s report into outsourcing oversight considerations for asset managers. He also contributed to its recent addendum, which was published in November 2016.

“I am most proud of my work for the OWG (Outsourcing Working Group) as it was a real collaborative effort across the industry, and I enjoyed writing the report,” says Davey. “I still feel there is a need for more collaboration between the banks and some form of industry body to facilitate this.”