British Telecommunications Pensions Scheme Management (BTPSM) Now Live with Algorithmics’ Algo Risk Service

Toronto, London (PRWeb UK) January 30, 2011

Algorithmics, the leading provider of risk solutions, announced today that British Telecommunications Pensions Scheme Management (BTPSM), which oversees the UK’s largest private sector pension scheme, has gone live with Algorithmics for risk management purposes across its major asset classes and liabilities.

BTPSM is using Algorithmics’ Algo Risk Service to manage its overall scheme risk, develop appropriate overlay strategies, understand the performance of external asset managers, and monitor its investments at various levels. Algo Risk Service, a hosted risk management, portfolio analytics and decision support tool, is being used within BTPSM to help address risk from different perspectives including day-to-day risk management, decision support, asset manager review and risk reporting for senior management.

Wyn Francis, Head of Investment Risk for BTPSM, said, “Algo Risk Service has enabled us to be more formal about how we assess and manage risk. Without a doubt, the service has provided a far more effective risk management framework for the scheme, challenging the way we look at risk across our portfolio.”

BTPSM had previously been using a number of legacy systems made up of third-party applications, together with proprietary tools. However, these systems were limited in their ability to aggregate risk. Francis notes, “When you’re using different systems or approaches, it invariably means that risk is being calculated on an inconsistent basis. None of the approaches we were using consistently took into account the correlation between assets and liabilities when it came to risk exposure.”

Dr Andrew Aziz, Executive Vice President of Algorithmics, Buy-Side Solutions said, “At a time when pension schemes funding ratios are under increasing pressure and experiencing greater volatility, we are delighted to be working in partnership with BTPSM to help develop the best industry risk management practices that Wyn and his team are establishing. This is setting new standards for the industry to aspire to.”

Wyn Francis, BTPSM, and Dr Andrew Aziz, Algorithmics, will be hosting a joint webinar entitled ‘Establishing a strong foundation for risk management – the BT pension scheme experience’ at 1600 GMT on Wednesday 23rd February.

To register for the webinar, ‘Establishing a strong foundation for Risk Management’, please visit: http://www.algorithmics.com/EN/events/algo/

For more information about Algorithmics' solutions for the pensions industry, visit: http://www.algorithmics.com/EN/solutions/myindustry/pensionfund/fund.cfm

For further information please contact:

Heather Smith, Senior Communications Manager, Algorithmics (UK) Ltd
Direct line +44 (0) 20 7392 5820 Mobile +44 (0) 7515 974223

Notes to Editors:

British Telecommunications Pensions Scheme Management (BTPSM), a division of Hermes Fund Managers Limited, oversees the UK’s largest private sector pension scheme, which has assets of over £34 billion* and more than 340,000 members as of June 2010. BTPSM uses Algo Risk Service, hosted by Algorithmics, to support and strengthen its approach to risk management to better manage the BT Pension Scheme and its diverse set of assets and liabilities.

   •  As of 31.12.09

Algo Risk Service for Pension Funds offers pension funds a web-based integrated risk management solution for each stage of the Pension Plan investing and risk management cycle, from Risk Budgeting and Investment Strategy through to Risk Reporting. Algorithmics’ award-winning service is defined by ease of use and flexibility, offering high levels of customization and complicated asset modeling that covers 100% of the investment universe for the most complex plans including multi-scheme, country or manager. Algo Risk Service for Pension Funds not only supports better informed investment decisions, but also provides greater oversight for risk and related performance, contributing to increased transparency and confidence for pension professionals, trustees, and regulators. As opposed to a standardized ASP model, Algorithmics provides a packaged pension solution that can be customized in a time- and cost-effective manner using a proven, web-based platform.                        

Algorithmics is the world's leading provider of risk solutions. Financial organizations from around the world use Algorithmics' software, analytics and advisory services to help them make risk-aware business decisions, maximize shareholder value, and meet regulatory requirements. Supported by a global team of risk experts based in all major financial centers, Algorithmics offers proven, award-winning solutions for market, credit and operational risk, as well as collateral and capital management. Algorithmics is a member of the Fitch Group. http://www.algorithmics.com

Fitch Group is the parent company of Fitch Ratings, a global ratings agency committed to providing the world's markets with independent, timely and prospective credit opinions. With 49 offices worldwide, Fitch Ratings’ global expertise spans across capital markets in over 150 countries. Fitch Ratings is headquartered in New York and London.

The Fitch Group also includes Fitch Solutions, a distribution channel for Fitch Ratings products and a provider of data, analytics and related services; and Algorithmics, the world's leading provider of enterprise risk solutions.

The Fitch Group is a majority-owned subsidiary of Fimalac, S.A., headquartered in Paris, France.
For additional information, please visit http://www.fitchratings.comhttp://www.algorithmics.com and http://www.fimalac.com

© 2011 Algorithmics Software LLC. All rights reserved. ALGORITHMICS, Ai Logo, ALGORITHMICS & Ai Logo, ALGO, MARK-TO-FUTURE, RISKWATCH, KNOW YOUR RISK, ALGO RISK, ALGO MARKET, ALGO CREDIT, ALGO COLLATERAL, ALGO FIRST, ALGO ONE, ALGO FOUNDATION, ALGO FINANCIAL MODELER, ALGO OPVAR and TH!NK Logo are trademarks of Algorithmics Trademarks LLC.

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