New appointment sees Defaqto launch unique analytics service

The independent financial information and technology business, Defaqto has appointed Chris Deavin to head up its new analytics service.

As Director of Analytics, Deavin will lead the development and execution of the group's insight and analytics proposition which helps fund managers and product providers with their compliance, product development, marketing and distribution needs.

Defaqto is uniquely placed to use real-world data to support providers' regulatory and compliance requirements. The first service to launch under this new area of business is Defaqto Compliance Analytics, developed to help manufacturers of financial products with their MiFID II PROD governance obligations. The 2020 FCA Sector Views analysis has highlighted the increased focus on PROD, stating that; “The most significant consumer harm has come directly from growing consumer exposure to investment risk.” Page 60-61, FCA Sector Views 2020

Zahid Bilgrami, CEO at Defaqto comments:

“Following the launch of Defaqto Compliance Analytics, a service which enables you to meet your MiFID II PROD requirements, we've been looking to formally expand Defaqto Analytics and develop a landmark service for our customers.

Chris is a great fit for our business and brings with him invaluable experience that will help realise the true potential of Defaqto Analytics, creating further opportunities for growth, not only for Defaqto but also across the wider SimplyBiz Group.”

With significant experience of leading the commercial growth of data, analytics and research businesses, Deavin will hold group-wide responsibility for the development, sales and delivery of Defaqto's market-leading data and analytical products.

From 2002 to 2007, Deavin led sales teams at S&P Investment Services. Subsequently joining Morningstar as Head of Sales UK from 2007 to 2013 moving to Head of Buy-Side Strategy from 2013 to 2016. More recently he's held the position of Managing Director of Sales for TS Lombard, an independent investment research firm providing services to Wealth and Asset Managers.

He is also the current Chair of the European Independent Research Providers Association (Euro IRP) and has an MBA from Imperial College.

Chris Deavin, Director of Analytics at Defaqto, adds:

“I am really pleased and very excited by the opportunity to join Defaqto and the SimplyBiz Group and to be a part of the next phase of the company's impressive growth. This new strategic role will focus on working with clients and other stakeholders to create market-leading data and analytical products that surface the deep mine of valuable information that Defaqto and the wider Group hold. It is a cornerstone of our strategy to bring unique insight to our institutional clients to help them develop, position and distribute their products more effectively and with the security of compliance.”