Martyn Warren Head of Function, Industry Operations, CREST & Swift in UK Shareholder Services Introduction and what your role is at EQ
I have been working in the business now for 40+ years, the last 30 specialising in the UK’s post-trade electronic settlement system called CREST. Over the years my focus has switched from operational delivery and program changes in this space to now being the Head of Function for Industry Operations, CREST and Swift. My lens is now firmly aimed at the future state and helping influence the outcomes through the official bodies I now sit on, such as the Chartered Governance Institute - Registrars’ Group.
What office are you located at?
Worthing; which is useful as I live locally and have access to the beach and South Downs all within a few minutes.
What’s happened in your career up to this point?
I started my career with Registrars back in September 1984 and entered the world of share registration in its full ‘paper based’ glory. The structure of the business was such that I worked my way round various operational sub-teams becoming multi-skilled in delivering service for a range of specific clients. During the late 80’s early 90’s I was involved in several of the Government driven public floatations and other large transactions which was all great experience at the time; I spent a few years specialising on the TSB Group plc register (the first time round), based in a Littlehampton office, before returning to Worthing to run a new team set up for handling multi-client based activities (MCT).
In 1994 I added a new feature to the team supporting the stockbroker / custodian / wealth management entities prepare themselves for the new electronic settlement system. In July 1996 the first CREST settled transactions occurred; we were off, the new age of electronic settlement was ‘live’. I joined a dedicated CREST team, made up of mainly IT Engineers, to support a ’transition’ phase as our clients moved out of Talisman (previous paper-based system) into the efficient CREST system. Over the interim years I have seen various developments and changes within the CREST space, involved in the first ever Rights Issue corporate action in CREST, additional functional capabilities and provided SME wherever possible to help deliver the EQ service.
What do you like about EQ?
The opportunities I have been afforded over the years, the support and most importantly, the people who work here, many of whom are now my friends.
What's your biggest EQ achievement?
I think I need to mention 2; the first was back in my early career as I developed our MCT into an area of expertise and first-class customer service with a single response to a multi-client customer-based enquiry. The other is the reputation of CREST Process Control (CPC) within the industry; we do what is says on the tin, plus we have a reputation for service excellence and deep subject matter expertise.
What are you looking forward to in the future at EQ?
The future of the Registration Industry is at a pivotal point following the recent Government publications; the opportunity to shape the future and influence the decisions excites me.
Do you have a fun fact to share?
I am very competitive, love the outdoors. Always happy to be smashing out the miles on my mountain bike across the South Downs but equally enjoy a walk or any general keeping fit activity.
A big thank you to Martyn for sharing his thoughts with us.