BT to present on the role of ICT in financial industry in the Middle East

Chris Pickles, Head of BT's Finance Sector Propositions for Global Services, is set to address industry decision makers on his expert strategy, trends in the Middle East financial sector, and the importance of having the best-practice operational risk management strategies in place.

"It is evident that the structure of the Middle East financial market is constantly changing. New regulations and competition are dictating that you make changes to your business within timeframes outside your control. The landscape is shifting, promising huge rewards for organizations that can integrate the best skills, infrastructure and methods that the world has to offer. Unfortunately, new rewards comes with new risks," said Pickles.

"Efficient and reliable technology plays a great role in keeping these risks under control. With more than 25 years of experience providing products and services developed specifically to the unique requirements of the financial services industry, BT has built a reputation for creating solutions that help financial firms to increase revenues, reduce costs, and improve service to their customers," adds Pickles.

BT successfully launched its award-winning Radianz Service in November 2007. The service enables financial institutions from around the world to connect to a global financial services extranet, connecting over 10,000 locations and such well-known names as New York and London stock exchanges and majority of top stock brokers and fund managers.

Pickles is in charge of all BT's financial services propositions. In his role, he analyses the new challenges facing the financial services industry globally and assess how these challenges, structural changes and new regulatory requirements impact the financial businesses and their use of ICT services.