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"The increasing importance of alternative investments is striking"

Marc Widmer
CEO Profidata Group

 

Your company has been owner-managed since it was founded in 1985. How does this affect the strategic direction of the group?

The ownership structure gives us a degree of entrepreneurial freedom that cannot be taken for granted in today's world. We are not subject to short-term pressure to generate returns, but can think and act for the long term. This allows us to invest a third of our profits each year in innovation and the further development of our platforms. This consistency pays off: with over 240 employees in six countries, a 100 percent success rate in implementations and an investment volume of more than 4.5 trillion euros, we are solidly positioned. Our Swissness is reflected in our thinking – in precision, reliability and efficiency. We set extremely high standards for ourselves and our work.

Your father handed over the company to you in 2023. What motivates you in your role?

Today, I am particularly driven by the responsibility of leading an internationally positioned group of companies. I see my role as shaping our strategic direction, enabling innovation and, at the same time, cultivating a corporate culture based on our core values: trust, reliability, openness, teamwork and the cultivation of long-term partnerships. I joined the Profidata Group as an apprentice in 2003 and have since had the opportunity to get to know the company from a wide variety of perspectives – from programmer to consultant to member of the Board of Directors. In 2023, I finally took on the role of Group CEO. My career has shaped my understanding of our clientele and the asset management market as a whole.

How do you assess current market developments in asset management?

The increasing importance of alternative investments such as private equity, private debt and real estate is particularly striking. These asset classes are not only growing in volume but also in strategic relevance, especially in times of economic uncertainty, rising inflation and increased interest rate volatility. Our customers want to efficiently manage mixed portfolios of liquid and illiquid assets. In addition, there are new regulatory frameworks and stricter ESG requirements. This places new demands on data quality, scalability and process reliability.

What advantages does your XENTIS software offer in this context?

Our aim is to combine all central investment processes on a single scalable platform. XENTIS can seamlessly map traditional and alternative investments in one environment. Our customers benefit from a secure database, powerful interfaces and a high degree of parameterisation. From portfolio management to risk management and fund administration to investment accounting, we offer end-to-end coverage for all asset classes.

Constant innovation is a key success factor in your industry. How do you live up to this claim?

We take a practical approach and develop new solutions together with our customers. These development partnerships enable us to adapt flexibly to individual needs. At the same time, we invest in our technology platforms: with the new ‘Frequent Delivery’ approach, we are shortening our innovation cycles and can respond more quickly to market changes. In investment compliance, we are working on the first applications of generative AI and are continuously expanding our services.

What does Profidata offer in terms of services?

More and more customers are using our managed services and completely outsourcing their IT infrastructure so they can focus on their core competencies. With Xcloud, we provide an ISAE-certified private cloud infrastructure that covers all technical operations. This gives our customers a clear competitive advantage. The dynamic architecture allows for flexible scaling so that the IT environment can grow with business requirements. Our Professional Service supports customers with comprehensive implementation consulting as well as technical and specialist support. In doing so, we ensure that XENTIS is continuously adapted to the respective needs.

What are your main priorities for making the Profidata Group fit for the future?

For me, absolute customer focus is the top priority. This means that we consistently take our customers' perspective and measure our performance against it. This was my father's goal when he founded Profidata in the 1980s – and today it is more important than ever. We also want to further develop our platform offering and use new technologies. Although we do not understand growth exclusively in geographical terms, we do have ambitions in this area as well: in addition to strengthening existing markets, we see potential in Ireland, for example.

You have been with the company for two decades. What do you personally value most about this experience – and what makes you unique?

In my free time, I like to immerse myself in the world of Dungeons and Dragons with friends. Storytelling together relaxes me and lets me forget about everyday life. I also find sport a good way to clear my head and sort out new ideas. That's why our ‘Proficamp’ is my absolute highlight. Every two years, our teams from Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Portugal and Romania meet in the countryside. We hike, row, swim or ride e-bikes through the mountain landscape and then help each other set up tents. Our company events mean a lot to me because they show that we have fun together and treat each other as equals. We have flat hierarchies, short decision-making processes and a strong team spirit. This corporate culture is a decisive reason for our employees to stay with us for many years or even decades – and for our customers, too, it is a sign of trust and stability. The orderly succession from my father underlines this claim: we think in terms of generations, not quarters.