The Swiss Funds Association has engaged a prominent new project manager for its asset-management platform, according to information obtained by finews.ch. The manager is the co-founder of a Swiss fintech firm.

To make Switzerland a leading location for the asset-management industry was the aim of a project by the Swiss Bankers Association launched in 2012.

Led by Peter Gruenblatt, the project team was full of bright plans, which included an asset-management summit in Davos at or around the World Economic Forum (WEF). Another one was an asset-management park. Grand plans – paltry results was what observers were forced to conclude after four years of planning.

New Broom for Relaunch

Thus, the Swiss Funds & Assets Management Association (SFAMA) – which had the joint lead for the project – last spring snatched the initiative for the industry project in a bid to revive its fortunes. SFAMA went on the lookout for a suitable head of the asset-management platform and has now been able to fill the position, according to information obtained by finews.ch.

The new project manager is Lorenz Arnet. «He will start in the position at the beginning of November,» Markus Fuchs, CEO at SFAMA, told finews.ch.

Founder of a Fintech Firm

Arnet is one of the founders of InCube, a Swiss fintech firm born in 2008 with its seat in Baar and Zurich. The company provides consulting, software solutions and investment products.

Arnet also has a past as a managing director at EFG Financial Products (today's Leonteq). He started his career at Barclays Capital, where he was in charge of derivatives sales to institutional clients in Switzerland. Arnet is a chartered alternative investment analyst.

Plenty of Pressing Issues

In his new job, Arnet will be charged with reviving asset management in Switzerland. Fuchs, who managed the asset-management platform ad interim says Arnet’s priority will be to improve the export capability of Swiss asset management.

The platform also needs to press for the right level of regulation for the industry, and will be in close touch with the regulator, Finma.

Branding

SFAMA will publish a study on pension provision on October 5, an issue that will be a further focus for the platform. Last but not least, Arnet will need to devote time and energy to improve the branding both domestically and abroad of Swiss asset management.

«As a former member of the supervisory board at Barclays Capital Switzerland, as well as a co-founder and partner at InCube Group, Lorenz Arnet has the necessary experience in management and customer care as well as broad and deep knowledge about financial and capital markets,» Fuchs said.