Posted: 12/04/2013
JTC Group, a leading independent provider of private wealth, corporate, employee benefit and fund administration services, has acquired Ardel Fund Services Limited (AFSL), one of Guernsey's premier third party fund administration providers. The move significantly boosts JTC's numbers in this jurisdiction adding specialist fund expertise both locally and for the group.
AFSL, formerly Bachmann Fund Administration, was established in Guernsey in 1993. The team administers investment funds across a variety of asset classes, utilising a wide range of fund structures: both open and closed-ended companies, unit trusts and limited partnerships, including entities listed on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market and Alternative Investment Market and also the Channel Islands Stock Exchange.
With established fund services businesses in Jersey and Luxembourg, the move forms part of JTC's broader international expansion plans.
“The AFSL team has an excellent reputation in the industry and a high calibre of existing clients,” states Group CEO and Chairman, Nigel Le Quesne. “This is an important strategic acquisition for JTC Group, giving us a much bigger presence in Guernsey and is another step towards strengthening a more global offering for our clients.”
Rick Brooks, Chief Executive Officer, Ardel Holdings Limited further commented: “Ardel has been looking for some time at opportunities that exist to focus exclusively on investment in the development and growth of our core fiduciary business. We are delighted that, in doing so, we have been able to protect and enhance the opportunities that will be available to the AFSL team through their transfer to JTC.”
A total of 13 AFSL staff will join JTC Group, with the combined team operating from AFSL's premises in Frances House in St Peter Port.
Paul Duquemin, Managing Director of AFSL, who takes on the role of Managing Director for JTC Group in Guernsey, firmly believes this is an exciting move for both companies. “Together we can offer clients fund expertise and investment fund solutions from a truly multi-jurisdictional perspective and our combined knowledge will put us firmly on the map in Guernsey and the international funds arena.”
Paul Smith, Senior Director of the combined team, who has been instrumental in bringing the two businesses together, concludes: “We have been talking about the synergies between JTC Group and AFSL for several months now and we are all looking forward to finally working together under one roof.”
JTC Group offers fund administration services across the full range of fund types and regulatory spectrum, within a diverse range of asset classes including real estate, renewable energy, private equity and media. It provides administration services to both closed and open ended funds established in Jersey, Guernsey and Luxembourg, as well as services to other non-domiciled fund structures in jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands and the BVI. These services are provided within JTC Group's robust framework of corporate governance, and risk management systems and procedures.