Building the next chapter of data solutions

Data expertise

Kneip is transitioning its branding to reflect its status within Clearstream Fund Services. Yet, the data hub will continue to add value and efficiencies to existing services while looking to develop new, sophisticated products. CEO Elisa Alonso Sanz explained.

The Kneip brand will be phased out over the coming weeks, a logical progression following the acquisition of the firm in 2022 by Clearstream’s owner Deutsche Börse Group. This reflects the fund data management and reporting solutions specialist’s role as a service pillar within Clearstream Fund Services. “Clients will receive the same services and solutions, with points of contact and contractual agreements remaining in place,” said Ms Alonso Sanz. “The Kneip legal entity will continue to operate in the background, but everyone will see us as part of Clearstream Fund Services.”

As the Data Solutions business unit, their primary focus remains maximising positive synergies to deliver existing services with improved levels of efficiency. They are also working to transform and power the data business of Clearstream Fund Services, bringing their expertise and the perspective of their 200 asset manager clients. “This involves continuing to integrate systems and building cooperation with other Clearstream operations, while maintaining the essence that has made us a trusted player for three decades in the European fund sector,” she said.

“The essence of Kneip will remain helping clients with reporting and data management, with the view of adding new value in data solutions.”

Continuity at the heart

The essence of Kneip will remain helping clients with reporting and data management. The 120-strong team will retain a significant degree of autonomy, particularly the vital data engineering teams remaining in place. For now they remain in their Bertrange offices, supported by the data operations in Cork, Ireland.

Since the acquisition, they have been able to leverage increased investment and system support. Ms Alonso Sanz notes that over half of their clients are on data transformation journeys and helping them achieve their ends is a central challenge by normalising and structuring information that comes from a variety of sources. Having greater organisational heft helps achieve these goals

Powering the fund ecosystem with data expertise

Data Solutions plays a central role in supporting clients across the entire fund value chain. Working closely with teams responsible for dealing, distribution and digital capabilities, they ensure that high quality data underpins every stage of fund operations. “We offer clients support along the fund value chain, supporting the whole funds ecosystem,” said Ms Alonso Sanz. Their collaboration helps generate value, efficiencies and smarter processes, particularly as new technologies and AI-driven tools reshape how data is managed and used.

These teams work together to generate value, productivity and efficiencies from technologies such as AI. “We analyse different processes, seeing where technology investment can make a positive difference to providing client solutions,” she said. For example, they have large language models which can automatically interrogate prospectuses to find the multiple data points needed for client and regulatory reporting.

Harnessing business intelligence

Longer term, the goal is to harness the business intelligence embedded in the data that flows through Clearstream. “We have expertise in data architecture and data governance to bring this together, and we contribute heavily to innovation teams seeking to make this happen across the organisation, but always in close consultation with clients,” she said. There is the prospect of services such as seamless data feeds and analytics, but of course based on foundations of accurate, timely inputs.

From the expertise gained as the archetypical back-office provider, the goal is increasingly to serve the front office. “Chief investment officers can benefit from timely feeds of data intelligence, particularly for sophisticated ETF strategies or for obtaining unique intelligence on cost ratio on their products” said Ms Alonso Sanz. “We want to unleash all the value that we have internally and put it at the disposal of the clients.” She has good insight into these needs, given her background in both wealth management and asset management.

“This work is based on our commitment to listening to clients,” she said. Asset managers know what they want, and we need to continue to offer clear value to them in a competitive environment. This means offering more to every client, be they large, medium or relatively small.  

First published in Paperjam on 06.02.2026