Our Heritage
Founded in 1892 in the heart of London's financial district, Sterling Custody Bank has been at the forefront of institutional asset servicing for over 130 years. What began as a specialized securities depository for the City's merchant banks has evolved into one of Europe's leading custody and fund administration providers.
Throughout our history, we have maintained an unwavering commitment to safeguarding client assets, operational excellence, and innovation in financial services. From weathering the financial crises of the 20th century to pioneering digital custody solutions in the 21st, Sterling Custody has remained a trusted partner to institutional investors worldwide.
Today, we serve over 450 institutional clients including pension funds, investment managers, family offices, and alternative investment funds, with £85 billion in assets under custody across 40+ global markets.
Our Mission
To provide institutional investors with the highest standards of custody, asset servicing, and fund administration, combining time-tested expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional operational excellence and client service.
Our Vision
To be the custody partner of choice for institutional investors globally, recognized for operational reliability, regulatory excellence, and innovation in asset servicing technology.
Our Values
Integrity, security, innovation, and partnership form the foundation of everything we do. We maintain the highest fiduciary standards while continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of institutional investors.
Sterling Custody by the Numbers
Regulatory Framework & Accreditations
Sterling Custody Bank operates under the most stringent regulatory oversight and maintains industry-leading certifications
ISO Certifications
ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 9001 (Quality Management), and SOC 2 Type II compliance
CASS Compliance
Full compliance with FCA CASS rules for client money and asset protection with daily reconciliation
Capital Adequacy
Tier 1 capital ratio exceeding regulatory requirements, ensuring financial strength and stability
Client Protection
£50 million institutional insurance coverage and FSCS protection for eligible deposits
International Standards
Compliance with AIFMD, UCITS, MiFID II, EMIR, and SFTR regulatory frameworks
Executive Leadership
Our leadership team brings decades of experience in custody banking, asset servicing, and financial markets
Sir Jonathan Pemberton
Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England with 40 years of experience in financial regulation and central banking.
Elizabeth Hartwell
Previously Global Head of Custody at a major European bank, with 25 years in institutional asset servicing.
David Chen
Former CFO of a leading fund administration platform, chartered accountant with expertise in financial services.
Sarah Mitchell
20 years in risk management and regulatory compliance across custody and investment banking sectors.
Marcus Thompson
Former Head of Digital Innovation at a global custodian, leading our technology transformation initiatives.
Dr. Amelia Blackwood
PhD in Operations Management, 18 years optimizing custody and settlement operations at Tier 1 institutions.
Corporate Governance
Sterling Custody Bank maintains the highest standards of corporate governance, with independent oversight from our Board of Directors and specialized committees.
Board of Directors
Independent majority board with expertise in custody, regulation, and financial services
Audit Committee
Oversees financial reporting, internal controls, and external audit relationships
Risk Committee
Monitors operational, market, credit, and regulatory risks across the organization
Remuneration Committee
Ensures compensation aligns with prudent risk management and long-term performance
Awards & Industry Recognition
2024 Custody Bank of the Year
Global Investor Magazine - European Market
Best Fund Administration
Hedge Fund Journal Awards 2024
Technology Innovation Award
Financial Technology Forum 2023
Client Service Excellence
Institutional Investor Awards 2023
Environmental, Social & Governance
Our commitment to sustainable business practices and positive social impact
Environmental
- Carbon neutral operations since 2020
- 100% renewable energy data centers
- Paperless client onboarding
- Green investment product support
Social
- Diversity & inclusion programs
- Community investment initiatives
- Employee development programs
- Financial literacy education
Governance
- Independent board oversight
- Transparent reporting standards
- Ethical business practices
- Robust compliance framework
Partner with Sterling Custody
Discover how our 130+ years of expertise can support your institutional asset servicing needs