Architecture for scalable, compliant, and efficient operations
A well-designed Target Operating Model (TOM) provides the blueprint for how your financial institution should operate. Our practice designs future-state TOMs that balance efficiency, control, and regulatory compliance—delivering sustainable competitive advantage.
Is this you?
- ❌ Broken handoffs between Front Office, Middle Office, and Back Office
- ❌ Unclear ownership of key processes and controls
- ❌ Inefficient or overlapping teams doing duplicate work
- ❌ Lack of standardisation across regions or business lines
- ❌ Audit findings linked to accountability gaps
- ❌ Scaling challenges as volumes or complexity grow
Financial institutions need clear operating models to function effectively.
What we deliver
Future-State TOM
- Organization design - How teams should be structured
- Process architecture - Key capabilities and workflows
- Technology landscape - Systems and integrations
- Operating principles - How you work
Roles & Responsibilities Model (RACI)
- Clear accountability - Who does what
- Decision rights - Who approves what
- Escalation paths - When things go wrong
- Handoff protocols - Smooth transitions between teams
Control Frameworks & Governance Model
- First line controls - Operational teams
- Second line oversight - Risk and compliance
- Third line assurance - Internal audit
- Governance forums - OpCo, SteerCo, RiskCo
Capabilities Matrix
- Current capabilities - What you have today
- Target capabilities - What you need
- Gap analysis - What's missing
- Priority roadmap - What to build first
Service Catalogue & Operating Principles
- Service definitions - What each team delivers
- SLAs - Performance expectations
- Operating principles - How decisions are made
- Ways of working - Standards and protocols
Implementation Roadmap (30/60/90 days)
- Quick wins - Immediate improvements (30 days)
- Foundation builds - Core capabilities (60 days)
- Full transformation - Complete TOM (90+ days)
What this solves
Broken Handoffs
Design clear transitions between FO/MO/BO with defined handoff protocols, data requirements, and SLAs.
Unclear Ownership
RACI matrices and accountability frameworks ensure everyone knows who owns what.
Inefficient or Overlapping Teams
Identify duplication, right-size teams, and design efficient org structures.
Lack of Standardisation
Create consistent processes across regions, business lines, and legal entities.
Audit Findings Linked to Accountability Gaps
Clear ownership and control frameworks close audit findings permanently.
Deliverables
You receive a complete TOM package:
✅ Future-state TOM (organization, process, technology, data)
✅ RACI matrices for all key processes
✅ Control framework (1st/2nd/3rd line model)
✅ Governance model (OpCo, SteerCo, committees)
✅ Capabilities matrix with gap analysis
✅ Service catalogue with SLAs
✅ Operating principles document
✅ 30/60/90 day implementation roadmap
All in PowerPoint, Visio, or your house style.
Who this is for
- Investment Banks - Trading operations, risk management, finance
- Commercial Banks - Retail, corporate banking, treasury
- Asset Managers - Fund ops, middle office, client services
- Broker-Dealers - Execution, settlement, clearing
- FinTechs - Building scalable operations from day 1
Typical engagement
Week 1-2: Current State Analysis
- Stakeholder interviews (all lines of business)
- Process review
- Organization analysis
- Pain point identification
Week 3-5: Future State Design
- TOM design workshops
- RACI development
- Control framework design
- Operating principles definition
Week 6-8: Validation & Roadmap
- Stakeholder validation
- Implementation roadmap
- Change impact assessment
- Final TOM pack
Pricing
TOM Design: £25k - £60k
Duration: 6-10 weeks
Scope: Full TOM for a business line or function
TOM Implementation Support: £12k/month
Support during rollout phase
Real results
Global Investment Bank (Fixed Income MO/BO)
Challenge: Unclear ownership, overlapping teams, high error rates
Delivered: Complete TOM redesign, RACI for 15 processes, new org structure
Result: Headcount reduced 25%, error rates down 60%, clear accountability
European Bank (Payments Transformation)
Challenge: ECB mandated OpCo model, needed clear governance
Delivered: OpCo/SteerCo governance model, RACI, control framework
Result: ECB requirement met, governance frameworks implemented
Start here
Complimentary: TOM Health Check
Share your current organization charts and key processes. Our team will provide an executive assessment covering:
- Critical gaps in your current model
- Operational pain points and inefficiencies
- Priority improvement opportunities
Consulting Engagements
TOM Lite (£18k-£25k, 4-6 weeks)
- Future-state TOM (high level)
- Key RACI matrices
- Governance model
- Implementation recommendations
Full TOM Programme (£35k-£60k, 8-10 weeks)
- Complete TOM design
- Detailed RACI for all processes
- Control frameworks
- Capabilities matrix
- Service catalogue
- 30/60/90 day roadmap
- Change impact assessment
Implementation Support (£12k+/month)
- Hands-on rollout support
- Workshops and training
- Change management
- Governance setup
Why partner with us
✅ Tier-1 bank experience - Designed operating models for major financial institutions globally
✅ Regulatory expertise - Deep understanding of ECB/PRA/FCA governance requirements
✅ Pragmatic approach - Rigorous methodology combined with operational reality
✅ Accelerated delivery - TOM design in weeks, not quarters
✅ Implementation-focused - Actionable roadmaps that drive results, not theoretical frameworks
What makes a great TOM
Bad TOM:
- ❌ Beautiful PowerPoint nobody implements
- ❌ Theoretical model disconnected from reality
- ❌ Missing implementation roadmap
- ❌ No clear accountability
- ❌ Designed by consultants who don't understand operations
Great TOM:
- ✅ Practical and implementable
- ✅ Clear roles and accountabilities
- ✅ Aligned with regulatory requirements
- ✅ Includes implementation roadmap
- ✅ Designed with operational input
- ✅ Addresses real pain points
Next steps
- Complimentary Health Check - Share your current operating model
- Discovery Session - 45-minute discussion with our leadership team
- Proposal - Tailored TOM engagement with clear deliverables and success criteria
- Mobilization - Rapid programme startup with design workshops in week 1