The Outsourced CIO (OCIO) market is experiencing sustained and robust growth. According to Cerulli Associates, U.S. OCIO assets under management exceeded $2.9 trillion in 2023, with projections reaching over $4 trillion by 2028. This momentum is fueled by institutional investors’ increasing demand for access to specialized investment expertise, operational efficiency, and scalable portfolio construction. The trend reflects a broader shift toward outsourcing, as asset owners seek agility in a dynamic and often volatile investment landscape.
We see three essential transformation goals for OCIOs to grow profitably:
- Building scale
- Rationalizing public and private investment workflows
- Establishing a trusted data platform
As competition intensifies, OCIO providers must deliver repeatable, cost-effective processes that reduce manual effort, increase transparency, and support sustainable growth. This demands more than just technology; it requires a unified approach across people, process, data, and technology. Olmstead helps firms achieve this by tailoring the right blend of in-house, outsourced, or hybrid solutions to meet each client’s operating model and growth strategy.
At the same time, the growth of private markets introduces new challenges. Alternatives, once a niche allocation, are now central to OCIO strategies. But managing illiquidity, capital calls, and unstructured data can’t be solved with quick fixes. Integrating public and private investments requires a flexible, unified platform that supports repeatable processes, performance tracking, and reporting across diverse asset classes.
Success hinges on data, but only when it’s part of a broader transformation strategy. Olmstead’s modern data architecture approach helps firms reduce technical debt, automate key workflows, and eliminate silos—fueling improved decision-making, empowered self-service, and enhanced client reporting.
With deep expertise in operations, technology, and data strategies that support the entire investment lifecycle, Olmstead empowers OCIO providers to scale confidently, improve efficiency, and unlock sustainable value in an increasingly complex market.