Adaptive
Tehreem Khan
22 Jul 2026
Adaptive’s product specialist Tehreem Khan reflects on her journey from mathematics and software development into asset servicing, the value of fresh perspectives, and her ambitions for a future in leadership
Image: adaptive
Can you give us an insight into your personal journey into the asset services industry? Why did you decide this was the career for you?
My journey into the industry was not particularly planned. I chose to study mathematics because I was not yet certain what I wanted to do, and I felt it would give me a broad range of options.
My university years coincided with the first Covid-19 lockdown, which was a very unusual experience. While many industries were struggling or slowing down, technology was thriving.
I had some exposure to coding through my studies, so I decided to pursue a career as a software developer and secured my first role.
I moved to Adaptive soon afterwards. I came across its early careers programme and was impressed by the people who interviewed me and their approach to teaching.
I felt that six months of structured learning in that environment would give me a strong foundation.
That was just under four years ago.
Since then, I have moved from front-end development to back-end development, become an engineering manager and begun transitioning into a product specialist role.
I have spent most of my early career at Adaptive, where I have been given the space to explore different roles and progress within the company.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy both the technical and people-focused aspects of my role. From an engineering perspective, I have had the opportunity to work with highly specialised technology, including Adaptive’s Aeron and Sequencer technology. Learning within that kind of technical environment has helped me develop critical and abstract thinking skills, as well as an understanding of how individual components fit into the bigger picture. I also value being involved across the end-to-end development process.
The managerial side has also been rewarding. I enjoy helping colleagues develop their careers, understanding their short- and long-term goals, and identifying how I can support them in achieving those ambitions.
Being able to combine technical work with helping others to grow has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.
Being fairly new to the industry, how do you find your experience compares with those who are more established? Are there advantages and disadvantages to each perspective?
One advantage of being relatively new is that you can bring a fresh perspective. You may be more willing to question existing structures or architectures, and that willingness to challenge established approaches can be valuable.
The industry is also becoming much more diverse, creating greater room for innovation and creativity.
Have you noticed any misconceptions about the asset servicing industry? Is there anything in the industry you would like to see evolve or change?
There is still a perception that asset servicing is slow-moving and primarily a back office industry.
In reality, it is becoming increasingly technology-driven, with significant investment in automation, data, and engineering talent.
I would like that shift to be recognised more widely, particularly so that people from non-traditional technology backgrounds can see the industry as a genuine and attractive career path.
I would also like people to become less apprehensive about AI. There is a common fear that AI will take jobs, whereas I believe it is more likely to enhance the way we work.
People should take the time to understand how the technology works and how to use it effectively.
For developers, AI tools can improve the way we programme, but they still depend on the user’s knowledge and judgement.
Used effectively, they can make you a better programmer and a more valuable member of the team.
What is the training process for a new employee? Do you think it was beneficial to your role and to others who may now be in the same position you were?
My first real exposure to the financial world was through Adaptive’s training programme.
It helped me understand how the company operated, including its working practices and security protocols.
The programme was particularly valuable because we began with a relatively clean slate.
We were taught not only how to write software, but also how to reason through problems, think critically, question existing structures, and develop good software-development practices.
The exact training process will naturally depend on the role, but I believe onboarding and structured learning are extremely important, even if parts of the process can initially feel tedious.
In terms of your career, where do you see yourself in a decade?
I always strive to excel in whatever I do, and I would ultimately love to reach a C-suite position.
Beyond the title, I see myself progressing further into leadership and management. I would like to be in a position where I can help people across different departments progress in their careers.
I would also like to play a meaningful role in shaping how a company evolves. Supporting people while contributing to the wider direction of an organisation would be a very rewarding next stage in my career.
What advice would you give to young graduates entering the financial services industry?
Imposter syndrome can be a constant battle, particularly at the beginning of your career, and it is something I still experience now.
My main advice would be to ask as many questions as possible. Ask what something is, how it works and why it is done in a particular way. Do not be afraid to challenge established ways of working or admit that you do not yet understand something.
Staying curious and building your intuition will help you develop your own professional judgement. Early in your career, asking questions is one of the most important things you can do.
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