Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Preqin and University of Essex

Leading data and intelligence provider Preqin is joining forces with the University of Essex to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide new insights to clients.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), backed by innovation agency Innovate UK, will see Essex's School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering help deliver new ways of analysing complex datasets and allow Preqin to offer enhanced insight to alternative asset fund managers and investors alike.

Through the KTP a high-quality researcher will work as a full-time data scientist at Preqin for the next three years, acting as a conduit between the world-class research developed by the University, and the award-winning data and expertise of Preqin. Combining academic rigour with business innovation, the project will put machine learning at the centre of the development of the next generation of financial data tools.

Darren Thorpe, Preqin’s Chief Technical Officer, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “This project will develop novel artificial intelligence (AI) models to clean and streamline complicated financial datasets in order to offer an extra layer of enhanced insight to alternative asset fund managers and investors alike. Preqin has long worked to be the premier partner for the industry and the addition of machine-learning tools represents a key step forward in continuing to provide our powerful datasets and value-enhancing tools.”

Professor Maria Fasli, Director of the Institute of Analytics and Data Science at Essex, added “The KTP with Preqin is important to us on a number of levels. The Institute will benefit from accessing large, unique datasets which have been largely untested by AI experts – opening up a wealth of research potential. It also aligns well with our drive to deliver impact through economic development, helping Preqin achieve its growth plans through the effective use of our research into novel machine-learning algorithms.

Preqin is now appealing for candidates to apply for the KTP position. Interested applicants can find out more by emailing: darren.thorpe@preqin.com

Further details about KTPs are available from Robert Walker: r.walker@essex.ac.uk