Sanne, a global provider of alternative asset and corporate administration services has become the first successful applicant to secure a much-anticipated specialised depositary licence from the Central Bank of Ireland. Obtaining this licence further enhances Sanne's capabilities in Ireland and its multi-jurisdictional proposition for alternative fund managers. 

Regulation has been at the forefront of investors’ minds ever since the global financial crisis in 2008. In the current environment, the need for oversight and monitoring is even more necessary as the industry navigates uncharted waters. However, this requirement for more robust supervision needs to be tempered with flexibility.

Private assets have experienced significant growth in the last few years and Ireland is now set up to further benefit from this expansion through the Investment Limited Partnerships (Amendment) Act 2020 (ILP Act) which was enacted into law in December 2020.

Managers looking to take advantage of the new structure launched in Ireland, the Investment Limited Partnership (ILP), will be able to maximise cost efficiency and time-to-market. The Irish legislation allows the adoption of an umbrella structure, meaning managers can launch sub-funds swiftly and save on legal and audit fees.

In a hunt for yield, investors have been enticed to consider allocating to illiquid asset classes in long-term, closed-ended products. Limited partnerships have been and continue to be the structure of choice for such investments, particularly for private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC). 

Various market forces are driving prospects for alternative managers globally, with Ireland being a key destination. Persistent low interest rates are pushing institutional investors towards alternative assets. This, coupled with the Covid pandemic further curtailing appetite for bank lending, has created opportunities for managers, particularly in the debt/credit spheres.

By A Paris – When the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive was enacted, there was talk of AIFMD becoming a brand to rival UCITS. The latest enhancements to the Investment Limited Partnership (ILP) structure in Ireland may well oil the wheels in the journey to making this a reality.

Irish Funds has welcomed completion of a key financial services bill that has been in the works for over five years and is expected to create 3,000 jobs by 2025 while attracting up to EUR20 billion per annum in global private capital.

By Stéphane Badey, Arendt – These are uncertain times, but three solid trends driving the Luxembourg investment funds market can be highlighted.

The private equity industry is currently navigating a number of challenges in addition to the Covid-19 pandemic, which the whole world is facing. As regulation and political will around environment, social and governance (ESG) factors grows, PE firms are coming under increased pressure to incorporate this approach into their investment strategies. These firms are also keeping a close eye on the progress of the Brexit negotiations to make sure to maintain their access to Europe.