Independent fund and corporate services provider, the Aztec Group, has added Pete Blackburn and Farhan Ahmed to its real assets senior leadership team in Luxembourg.
Previously based in the Group’s Jersey office, Blackburn has been with the Group for over 10 years and has held numerous positions in relationship management and financial reporting, gaining exposure to a wide range of asset classes and structures, including mezzanine, mid-market buyout funds and fund of funds. He was promoted to Associate Director in 2013.
In his new role, Blackburn will have overall responsibility for a portfolio of real estate and infrastructure clients, overseeing core day-to-day outsourcing activities such as financial reporting and administration.
Joining the Group as a Director, Ahmed will lead a number of client relationship teams responsible for the delivery of administration services to a portfolio of real asset managers. He will also support clients with technical issues surrounding IFRS and Lux GAAP.
Ahmed has over 15 years of experience with ‘Big Four’ firms and, prior to joining the Aztec Group, held the role of Director of Audit and Assurance for EY Luxembourg, where he was focused primarily on real estate, infrastructure and private equity clients.
Blackburn and Ahmed will both play a central role in shaping and driving the development of the Group’s real assets offering across Europe.
James Vella-Bamber, Head of Real Assets for Luxembourg, says: “I’m delighted to welcome Pete and Farhan to our real assets senior leadership team in Luxembourg. They both have an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise in alternatives and I look forward to welcoming them on board as we continue to strengthen our position as one of the leading fund administrators in Europe.”