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Ruth Forssman

@ruthforssman

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Executive operations leader delivering fintech transformation across capital markets and client success.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead transformation delivery in financial services/fintech—owning operating-model design, platform implementation, governance, and client/operational outcomes with strong stakeholder leadership.

I’m a senior financial-services, fintech and operations professional with 20+ years of experience across capital markets, hedge funds, asset management, wealth management, banking and financial technology. I combine front-office markets expertise, client relationship management, operating-model design, technology implementation and governance leadership.

Over the years, I’ve built scalable processes by translating complex business, regulatory and customer requirements into platform capabilities and commercially sound outcomes. I’m known for stakeholder management, workflow analysis, and turning requirements into delivery-ready change.

In executive roles, I led operating-model and platform integration initiatives across trading, valuation, finance, compliance, operations and governance—then translated that work into governance-ready communication for boards and regulatory bodies. As Chief Operating Officer for specialist investment funds, I implemented operating processes, led new-instrument and technology implementation (including Front Arena), chaired Valuations & Risk and Operations committees, and managed service-provider due diligence and audit processes.

Most recently, I focused on client growth and service delivery as a Wealth Manager, increasing assets under management by R200 million in the first year through autonomous client-acquisition. I’ve also managed 100+ high-net-worth client relationships, coordinated multi-team onboarding for complex hedge fund requirements, and mentored talent while driving continuous improvements in platform and operating workflows.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Wealth Manager

Investec Wealth & Investment International

Jan 2023 - May 2025 (2 years 4 months)

Managed high-net-worth client acquisition, advisory, relationship management, and solution delivery. Grew assets under management by R200 million in the first year and managed a book of 100+ client relationships.

Wealth Management High Net Worth Client Acquisition Client Advisory Relationship Management Client Onboarding Stakeholder Management Solution Delivery

International & Platform Operations

Investec Wealth & Investment International

May 2021 - Dec 2022 (1 year 7 months)

Led platform and operational-integration initiatives supporting international wealth capabilities and multi-jurisdictional client solutions. Bridged business, operations, and technology teams to translate requirements into scalable workflows and supported operating-model alignment.

Platform Integration Workflow Design Stakeholder Management International Wealth Capabilities

Chief Operating Officer

Investec Specialist Investments

Sep 2017 - Mar 2022 (4 years 6 months)

Implemented operating processes across trading, valuation, operations, compliance, finance, governance, accounting, and tax requirements for specialist investment funds. Led new-instrument and technology implementation (including Front Arena risk and position-keeping) and chaired Valuations & Risk and Operations Committees.

Operating Model Design Process Implementation Trading Operations Valuation Compliance Finance Governance Accounting Risk Management Front Instrument Implementation Financial Management Operational Risk Liaison

Senior Manager, Professional Services

FIS

Jun 2016 - Aug 2017 (1 year 2 months)

Implemented and configured financial-market technology solutions, managing requirements gathering, deployment planning, progress reporting, and project risk. Delivered functional validation, end-user training, stakeholder engagement, and pre-sales support, including automation for bond trade confirmation and straight-through processing for FX/equity/commodity derivatives.

Requirements Gathering Deployment Planning Progress Reports Project Risk Management User Training Stakeholder Engagement Pre sales Support Bond Trade Confirmation Automation FX Spot Derivatives STP Equity Spot Derivatives STP Commodity Spot Derivatives STP Trades Confirmations Straight Through Processing

Chief Operating Officer

Kaizen Asset Management

Mar 2015 - Dec 2015 (9 months)

Led business infrastructure and operating-model leadership for a multi-strategy hedge fund during expansion. Scaled HR, IT, trading operations, and finance, and managed budgeting, compliance, legal interfaces, client onboarding, and systems/process integration.

Operational Leadership IT Trading Operations Finance Operations Budgeting Compliance Management Legal and Administrative Interfaces Client Onboarding Process Integration Due Diligence Investor Relations Support

Business Analyst

Absa Capital, Prime Services

Sep 2012 - Mar 2015 (2 years 6 months)

Supported prime-broking client onboarding, platform strategy, service delivery, and infrastructure development for hedge funds. Owned end-to-end onboarding across multiple business units, drove prime-broking solution enhancements, and monitored service quality and client satisfaction.

Hedge Fund Onboarding Platform Strategy Service Delivery Product Positioning Issue Resolution Service quality Enhancements Trade Support KPI Reporting

Client Services & Relationship Mgmt

Peregrine Securities (Peresec)

Jan 2008 - Jun 2012 (4 years 5 months)

Acted as primary liaison for hedge fund clients on onboarding, operating requirements, trading applications, risk, performance, profitability, and service delivery. Supported new business take-on and coordinated business processes, systems training, regulatory-framework support, and capital-raising activities.

Client Onboarding Risk Business Development Legal Documentation Trading Cost Monitoring Business Process Design Systems Training Regulatory Frameworks Capital Raising Client Communication

Equity Derivatives Trading & Structuring

Investec Bank Limited

Jan 2004 - Dec 2007 (3 years 11 months)

Contributed to equity-derivatives trading, pricing, sales, structuring, and risk management, including ALSI index arbitrage and delta hedging. Developed and maintained leveraged structured products by coordinating across bank divisions and presenting to risk forums.