Sarah Davidson

High-performing, ethical, and authentic senior investment operations leader with over 19 years' experience in the financial services industry in the United Kingdom and Australia. Demonstrated progression from entry-level Associate to Senior Manager at Macquarie Bank, specializing in liquidity management, trade settlement, project management, and strategic change. Successfully led multiple custodian transitions, system migrations, and onboarding of new portfolios following business acquisitions in a fast-paced, high-growth, and high-change environment. Implemented automation solutions to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate risk. Prioritizes accountability, integrity, and opportunity as an inclusive leader who fosters a psychologically safe space for the team. Cultivated a high-performing culture through coaching and career development initiatives. Seeking to continue ascending within senior management, taking on new challenges and expanding exposure to high-level business strategy. Eager to collaborate with executive teams in driving global initiatives and empowering teams. Keen interest in leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance operational efficiencies and build organizational resilience.

● Problem solver

● Detail orientated

● Governance and risk advocate

● Change leader

● Strong stakeholder management skills

● Resilience

● Integrity

● People empowerment

• Leadership in International Trade & Cash Services
  Led a high-performing team in delivering specialized international trade and cash management services to key stakeholders and clients, maintaining a flawless record with zero financial incidents in a high-risk environment. This commitment to operational excellence reinforced client trust and enhanced the bank’s reputation in complex global markets.
• Successful Offshore Transition and Operational Excellence
  Oversaw the successful transition of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) headcount to an offshore location, including comprehensive task selection, a strategic training program, and a structured parallel period between regions to ensure seamless execution. This transition improved efficiency and ensured continuity of service delivery with minimal disruption to operations.
• Process Automation and Operational Efficiency
  Championed the automation of a critical, high-risk manual process affecting Front Office teams and external Investment Managers globally. The initiative resulted in a reduction of daily FTE by 0.08, optimizing resource allocation and significantly enhancing process efficiency while mitigating operational risk.
• End-to-End System Migrations and Portfolio Onboarding
  Directed complex, end-to-end transformations, including the migration to BlackRock’s Aladdin system, the change of custodians, and the seamless onboarding of portfolios following the acquisition of AMP’s Global Equity & Fixed Income business. These strategic initiatives ensured smooth integration and enhanced operational alignment across multiple platforms.
• Cost Reduction through Process Optimization
  Identified and streamlined a time-intensive manual task related to rebate processing, which was both labor-intensive for the team and costly for the business. By implementing a formal change management solution, the initiative led to a 96% reduction in associated costs, delivering significant operational savings and improving overall efficiency.
• Strategic Liquidity Management Collaboration
  Facilitated a strategic agreement between Cash Operations and Group Treasury to provide a daily cash flow forecast for Macquarie Asset Management. This collaboration empowered Group Treasury to optimize liquidity management and issuance, while ensuring compliance with the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) requirements, strengthening financial stability across the group.
• Cultivating High-Performance Culture
  Fostered a high-performance culture by providing ongoing coaching and career development opportunities for team members. This approach not only enhanced individual growth but also contributed to improved team collaboration and performance, supporting organizational objectives and ensuring sustained excellence.