Oakbridge Fund Services (Jersey), a specialist independent fund administrator based in Jersey, has been launched to service the alternative funds sector.
Specialising in the main alternative asset classes, with a focus on private equity and venture capital, Oakbridge Funds will provide administration services to offshore closed and open-ended funds and corporate structures.
The Oakbridge team previously worked together at a pan-European multi-jurisdictional fund administration business and have more than 40 years’ experience of working in the fund services sector.
Private equity professionals Robin de Gruchy-Wilson, Alex Smyth and Jonathan Crawford will lead Oakbridge Funds’ operations. In addition, Jamie Crawford, a Director of parent company ED Group, joins the Oakbridge board as a Director.
Oakbridge Funds' majority owner, ED Group, is an investment business with activities in the UK, Europe, North America and the Channel Islands. In Jersey, it also owns a regulated investment business, Oakbridge, and a regulated trust company business, ED Capital.
Oakbridge Funds Managing Director Robin de Gruchy-Wilson commented: "Oakbridge Funds’ launch comes at a time when there is demand in the market for a truly independent specialist provider.
"We are based in Jersey with a focus on carrying out fund administration for multi-jurisdictional funds using industry-leading technology and have no intention to outsource any of this work. Our experienced Jersey-based team is well placed to achieve this."
Jamie Crawford added: "Our venture with Oakbridge Funds echoes ED Group’s ethos of investing in and helping innovative companies grow. We already have substantial experience and resource in the local financial services sector between our existing trust company and investment businesses.
"We look forward to working with Robin, Alex and Jonathan to grow Oakbridge Funds into a leading specialist administrator in the funds sector."
Oakbridge Funds is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission for the conduct of fund services business and trust company business.
Pictured l-r: Robin de Gruchy-Wilson, Jonathan Crawford, Jamie Crawford and Alex Smyth