Managing Partner

William Higgins

William has been providing oversight across our client’s transformation projects for the last 5 years. Previously, he was Head of Group Operations for RBS, with responsibility for a $2bn P&L. He created and ran offshore centres in Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi with 15,000 professionals, servicing nine global locations. Group Operations were recognised as the number one employer of choice in 2013. He was responsible for overseeing the delivery of post-merger benefits.

Prior to RBS, William was Global Head of Operations at ABN AMRO Bank. Before this, William was Managing Director of Investment Banking Operations at UBS. He is a Qualified Chartered Accountant, who has reduced costs substantially through LEAN, outsourcing, offshoring, digital automation, and cost rationalisation.

Partner

Lasse Hall

Lasse provides deep industry-based experience and expertise in digital banking solutions and FinTech, to support all phases of digital strategy and delivery.

He brings 18+ years experience combining technology, management, business know-how, digital banking and financial technology for market-leading products and services.  He is a seasoned executive, having previously worked as Vice President for SpareBank1, the second largest banking conglomerate in Norway, where he headed up their complete digitization. Lasse serves as a Mentor and advisor for the largest accelerator in the Nordics and sits on multiple boards of financial companies.

Recently he has built and sold two European FinTech businesses, both being acquired by European banks. He has advised PE clients on digital strategic infrastructure transformation and has most recently been CEO for a working capital SaaS startup.

Partner

Murray Falconer

Murray leads client engagements in digital banking and M&A, leveraging over 25 years of international experience in financial services, technology and consultancy.

Since joining the firm in 2019, he has advised several UAE and KSA clients in digital strategy, developed innovative propositions and prepared delivery roadmaps. He led the technology workstream and an Accenture team for the 2020 mega-merger of NCB and Samba Financial Group in KSA, delivering the due diligence reports for both banks, the integration playbook, target state design, integration plans and migration approach.

Prior to Aspiro, he led EY’s EMEIA FS practice, based in London, for technology and operations pre-deal diligence and post-deal integration/carveout, performing in over 70 transactions.  His career prior to EY was as a partner in IBM Consulting, various interim CIO/COO/CTO roles and successful delivery of major programmes for Barclays Bank, JPMorgan, Santander, RBS, Tesco Bank (new bank build and launch), Coop Bank, Old Mutual SA, AXA PPP Healthcare, Amex MENA and NBK (Kuwait).

Principal

Karim Beg

Karim is a results-oriented Marketing and Business professional with extensive experience in Marketing, Consumer Banking and Payment Cards across the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

He has a successful track-record with leading global organizations including Visa International, ABN AMRO Bank, Citibank, Royal Bank of Scotland and PepsiCo Corporation. He has extensive experience in managing and building global brands, driving marketing strategy, setting up and managing all aspects of Credit & Debit cards and payments businesses including Product Development & Management, Sales & Distribution, Portfolio Management & Analytics, and delivering profitability and market share growth.

In his last assignment Karim was the Head of Marketing for Visa in the Middle East & North Africa region, where he was responsible for leading Visa’s Marketing Management function in the region. Additional y, he was also the Regional hub lead for Digital, Cross-Border & e-Commerce Marketing across the CEMEA region.

Executive Chairman

Colin Macdonald

Colin has 30+ years of wide ranging financial services experience from Retail through to Private banking, Corporate and Investment Banking with transformation and restructuring experience throughout his career. Colin has extensive Middle East experience, including being permanently based in the region for the last 15 years. Prior to setting up his own successful advisory business he has held a number of leadership roles as Deputy CEO of a large GCC bank, Group CEO of a leading a Investment Bank and Regional Head of a large full service international bank. All of these leadership roles entailed significant restructuring, change and transformation. He has held several Board positions during his various roles.

Prior to this Colin held a number of leadership positions primarily in commercial and investment banking across the origination, structuring and operating functions; including covering the Middle East.