With a track record of providing alternative fund services stretching back several decades, Jersey has become home to a growing community of fund managers too, including across the hedge fund, private equity and real estate fund space. Jersey was, therefore, the ideal jurisdiction for innovative investment management firm Systematica Investments to base its headquarters. Pictured left to right: Paul Rouse and Ben Dixon
Launched in 2015 as a spin-out from BlueCrest Capital Management – one of the world’s largest hedge funds – Systematica Investments applies science, research and technology to its investment management process.
As well as its Jersey headquarters, the company also has an international presence, as a result of operations in London, Geneva, New York, Singapore and Shanghai.
Paul Rouse, its Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer, moved to Jersey from London, and explains why Jersey has proved to be an attractive proposition.
“Given its reputation for alternative investment funds, Jersey was a good fit for us,” he says. “There is great support here, not just in terms of the business infrastructure, professional capabilities and regulatory environment, which are all second to none, but also personally.
“There is a real community feel about it and people are very generous in offering advice and support.”
Supportive infrastructure
Ben Dixon, the business’s General Counsel, also relocated to Jersey from London – and was impressed with the supportive infrastructure he found.
“The whole process was made very smooth by the various networks in place,” he recalls. “I relocated in early 2015 and quickly found Jersey incredibly supportive on every level – from the Jersey Financial Services Commission [JFSC] as regulator to Jersey Finance and Locate Jersey.
“The platform Jersey has provided us with has enabled our business to perform very well in the almost six years we’ve been here.
“We have added 10 people locally to the company in that time – quite a rapid growth. It has made sense to hire from the islands where we can, as there is such a wealth of talent available.
“Our HR, tax and corporate finance teams are all here, and three-quarters of our legal team are based in Jersey.”
Rouse adds: “To begin with, we were operating out of an incubator space and I was still commuting over from London while we finalised our set-up. The authorities here really did understand our ambitions and what we were trying to do. Dialogue with the JFSC and the government has been so efficient.
“The good connections to London are also helpful in terms of running the business from here. London is a key gateway for us, so that’s important.”
Quality of life
For both men, it’s not just the benefits to the business that make Jersey an attractive place to work – it has helped them personally too, as Rouse explains.
“The outdoors lifestyle here is fantastic and it’s a really strong sell for Jersey. It’s refreshing to be able to go for a run along the seafront during your lunchtime or head to beach in the evenings, for instance – quite different from London.”
Rouse continues: “I came to see Jersey initially in October-time and was sold straight away with the beautiful views of the countryside and coast.
“Moving here with my family and finding a good school was really important too. My daughters absolutely love their new school and friends, and they both go to surf school at the weekends.
“One of the greatest gifts for me in moving here has been the ability to take my children to school and see them in the evenings thanks to the much shorter commute compared with London.”
This advertising feature was produced in association with Locate Jersey. Visit www.locatejersey.com
• The feature was first published in the October/November 2020 edition of Businesslife magazine