SEI appoints Provencher to lead global services push

SEI has appointed Matt Provencher as global head of enterprise professional services, a newly created role.

He will lead the expansion of the company's professional services operation across markets and oversee an enterprise-wide strategy to support clients using SEI's platforms, technology and operational services.

Provencher will report to Sanjay Sharma, chief executive officer of SEI International and global head of private banking and wealth management, and will work with sales, relationship management, technology and operations teams across the group.

The appointment comes as financial services firms face pressure to update operating models, connect newer technology with existing systems, and manage increasingly complex data and security requirements. The role will oversee a delivery model spanning SEI Data Cloud, systems integration, cybersecurity and network orchestration, AI and automation architecture and activation, business model optimisation, and business process outsourcing.

Provencher joins from NTT DATA, where he most recently served as president of North America banking, financial services and insurance. In that role, he led the professional services business across sales, delivery, operations and financial performance.

He brings more than two decades of leadership experience in financial services and professional services, including building platforms, leading enterprise-wide initiatives, and improving operating performance and governance.

Broader push

The hire follows a series of moves by SEI to broaden its technology and data offering for financial services clients. These have included expanding its enterprise AI and data leadership, investing in a new platform for investment managers, and partnering with IBM.

Professional services has become a more important part of the financial technology sector as clients increasingly seek support not only with software procurement but also with implementation, operating model changes and process redesign. For firms serving banks, wealth managers and asset managers, these services can create longer client relationships and embed them more deeply in strategic change programmes.

Sharma outlined the rationale for the new position in comments accompanying the appointment.

"Professional services are central to how we help clients translate strategy into execution in an environment defined by accelerating change. As our clients look to modernize their operations and fully leverage our platforms, expanding this capability across SEI is a natural step in our evolution.

"Our clients are looking for more than tactical operational support. They want a partner who can help drive meaningful business transformation by optimizing their operating model, rather than simply addressing a single friction point, to unlock greater value from their investments in people, technology, and automation. Matt brings a proven ability to build and scale high-performing services organizations, and his leadership will be instrumental as we expand this capability across SEI and strengthen our position as a strategic partner to clients around the world," said Sanjay Sharma, chief executive officer of SEI International and global head of SEI's private banking business.

The new role suggests SEI is seeking to align advisory, implementation and operational support more closely with its existing product set. That approach is increasingly common among providers looking to combine software, data and outsourced services within a single client relationship, particularly in wealth and asset management, where legacy infrastructure can make transformation projects difficult to execute.

Provencher also described the demand he sees from financial institutions for broader support during change projects.

"As financial services organizations face growing complexity, they need a partner that can help them navigate change, execute with precision, and create lasting value. SEI stands out for its ability to align technology, operations, and deep industry expertise in a way that helps clients accelerate progress and strengthen business performance. Professional services is a catalyst for transformation that helps clients future-proof their businesses and build more integrated, adaptable operating models in a rapidly evolving wealth and asset management landscape. I look forward to building on SEI's strong foundation to expand our capabilities and deepen the value we deliver to clients," said Provencher.