About TCAM
TCAM
TCAM was founded by John Lathouwers. Before starting TCAM, John spent fourteen years at Screen Consultants — now TRG Screen — in management, consultancy and commercial roles, building deep expertise across all aspects of market and reference data management. He holds a degree in business economics and is himself a certified Financial Information Associate (FIA) and Data Licensing Specialist (DLS).
John has over 3 decades of experience as a consultant and interim professional at international financial institutions and energy traders. He is a specialist in data governance, vendor strategy, cost optimisation, and audit and compliance defence, with a consistent track record of delivering seven and eight-figure cost savings, embedding governance frameworks, and leading high-impact data transformations.
TCAM operates as an independent consultancy, supported by a network of experienced market data professionals. All engagements are led personally by John Lathouwers.
What sets TCAM apart
Independence above all TCAM has no commercial relationship with any data vendor, exchange or information provider. Every recommendation is driven solely by the client's interest — not by referral arrangements or product sales.
Depth, not breadth Market and reference data is TCAM's sole focus. That concentration of expertise — built over three decades across financial institutions, energy companies and market data vendors — means clients get specialist knowledge, not a generalist approach adapted to their domain.
Proven results TCAM has delivered cost savings in the seven and eight figures, managed audit processes that reduced initial claims by up to 95%, and built governance frameworks that continue to function years after the engagement ends.
Practical, not theoretical TCAM designs frameworks and recommendations that fit the operational reality of the client — not templates borrowed from other industries. The outcome of every engagement is something that actually gets implemented.
Our Approach
Market and reference data challenges rarely exist in isolation. A compliance issue often has its roots in weak governance. Rising costs are frequently a symptom of fragmented procurement. A failed audit reflects an entitlement management problem that predates the audit by years.
TCAM's approach is holistic — we look at the full picture before recommending action, and we connect the disciplines that are too often treated separately.
How we work
Understand the landscape Every engagement starts with a structured inventory of the client's current situation: what data is sourced, from whom, under what contractual terms, at what cost, and by whom it is used. For most organisations, this step alone surfaces issues that were previously invisible.
Assess and diagnose We map the gap between the current situation and where the organisation needs to be — whether that is a cost reduction target, a compliance requirement, a governance standard or a strategic objective. We benchmark against industry practice where relevant, and we bring the commercial and contractual knowledge to interpret what we find.
Recommend and prioritise We produce a clear, prioritised set of recommendations with realistic impact estimates. We distinguish between quick wins — issues that can be resolved in weeks — and structural improvements that require a longer-term programme. We do not recommend more than the situation requires.
Implement and support Where needed, TCAM supports implementation directly: in vendor negotiations, audit processes, governance rollouts or data management operations. Depending on the engagement, this can range from targeted advisory support to a full interim management role.
Our principles
Independent — no commercial ties to any vendor, exchange or information provider. Our advice is never influenced by referral arrangements or product sales.
Holistic — content, commercials, compliance, governance, and technology are interconnected. We address them as such.
Practical — we design solutions for the operational reality of the client, not for a theoretical ideal. The measure of a good recommendation is whether it gets implemented.
Embedded — we work closely with the client's own teams, transferring knowledge as we go, so the organisation retains capability after the engagement ends.
Types of engagement
TCAM works on a project basis and in interim management roles. Engagements range from a focused assessment of four to six weeks to a longer-term operational role spanning several months or more. We also support organisations on an ongoing retainer basis through our Market Data Management as-a-Service offering.
All engagements are led personally by John Lathouwers, supported where needed by a network of experienced market data professionals.
TCAM and FISD
FISD — the Financial Information Services Division of SIIA — is the leading global association for the market and reference data industry. It sets the standards for professional certification in the field, brings together data vendors, financial institutions and service providers, and maintains the industry's most widely recognised training and certification programmes.
TCAM as a recognised training partner
TCAM is a FISD-recognised training partner for both the Financial Information Associate (FIA) and Data Licensing Specialist (DLS) certification programmes. This recognition reflects TCAM's expertise in market and reference data and its ability to prepare candidates effectively for FISD's rigorous certification exams.
TCAM is listed by FISD as a recognised trainer and as a provider of the FIA and DLS exam preparation — one of a small number of organisations globally to hold this status for both programmes.
Certifications and Training delivery
FISD offers professional certifications relevant to the market and reference data industry: the Financial Information Associate (FIA), aimed at anyone working with market data day-to-day, and the Data Licensing Specialist (DLS), focused on the contractual and compliance aspects of data licensing.
TCAM delivers FIA and DLS exam preparation as in-company classroom training — virtual or in-person, globally — as well as custom workshops tailored to the organisation's needs. Training is conducted in English.
Candidates from organisations including ABN AMRO, Deutsche Börse, ING Bank, LSEG, MSCI, Nomura, Rabobank and many others have obtained their FISD certification through TCAM's training programmes.