SAS brings in Alexander as risk adviser

US risk analytics provider SAS has recruited British author and financial engineering academic Carol Alexander as a risk management adviser.

Alexander will focus on the areas of product development and strategy for SAS’s risk analysis services and build on the company’s current work in market, credit and operational risk management.

Alexander is a well-known figure. She has authored several texts in academic and professional journals and is the chair of risk management as well as director of research at the UK-based Isma centre, the business school for financial markets at the University of Reading. She also serves as chair of the academic advisory council of the Professional Risk Managers' International Association. Her business career includes work at Canadian risk software provider Algorithmics and Japanese securities firm Nikko Holdings.

Alexander’s area of specialisation has centred on the development of risk and investment analysis models, with a particular emphasis on software for risk management, portfolio optimisation and trading. She is expected to have an impact on SAS at both strategic and practical levels, said Peyman Mestchian, director of risk management practice for SAS UK.