Allocations
GCA Altium has appointed Dr Jules Wurlod as ESG Director in a newly created role as ethical investing booms across the globe.GCA Altium has a strong history in ESG M&A advisory and has recently increased its emphasis on this area by forming a global ESG advisory team. GCA Altium has also recently introduced an internal ESG programme with a focus on creating a positive impact for all its stakeholders – including clients, shareholders, employees and communities. Jules will support GCA Altium’s deal teams on both ESG origination and execution, and also the internal ESG team with the development and implementation
By Stéphane Badey, Arendt – These are uncertain times, but three solid trends driving the Luxembourg investment funds market can be highlighted.
1. The continuous growth of the alternative investment strategies. Luxembourg has positioned itself as a jurisdiction of choice for alternative asset managers. As a consulting firm we are accompanying clients in their move to Luxembourg. This is made easier from a regulatory perspective by the adoption of a clear regulatory framework.
2. The further integration of ESG criteria into asset managers’ strategies. The upcoming regulations (SFDR*) are prompting asset managers to position themselves accordingly. Although many had already embraced
By Stephane Pesch, LPEA – As the world tumbles into a period of economic and political uncertainty, private equity relies on its long term investment strategy and eyes the calm after the storm. Meanwhile, investors and fund managers are drawn to the safe harbour of Luxembourg, one of the few they can rely on these days.
Luxembourg has built a reputation as a cross border platform mainly for its capacity to offer an advanced and complete set of legal tools that suit different investors’ needs, especially after the implementation of the AIFM directive. More recently, we observed a diversification of the
Q&A with Marcus Peter & Irina Stoliarova, GSK Stockman
What are the key trends currently driving growth and development within Luxembourg’s funds industry?
In 2019 Luxembourg fund industry revealed significant growth that was not slowed down in the first three quarters of 2020. As at 31 August 2020, the total assets under management (AUM) amounted to EUR4,696.762 billion compared to EUR4,617.395 billion as at 31 July 2020, showing an increase of 1.72 per cent over one month and over the last twelve months, the volume of net assets rose by 4.31 per cent.
Regardless of the fact that asset managers,
Luxembourg remains a key hub of fund distribution. However, the complexity of the European regulation has seen a rise in managers setting up more parallel funds in other jurisdictions. This is done to accommodate non-EU investors, who may struggle with the demands of the EU fund regulations.
“Something we’re seeing quite a lot of is managers setting up a fund in Cayman or Delaware for US investors, a Singapore or Hong Kong fund to cater for Asian investors and then a Luxembourg fund for the EU market,” observes Anja Grenner, Market Business Development Lead – Fund Services at TMF Group.
There are several macroeconomic factors which support further growth in the private equity, venture capital and real estate space in Luxembourg. Although events like Covid-19, the Brexit transition, US elections and the US-China trade war may damage this potential, managers can also find opportunity in the turmoil.
“There are huge amounts of capital in the markets. Unlike during the GFC, there is no shortage of debt, we’re not in a liquidity crisis. And we are still in a low interest environment – which isn’t going to change any time soon, so we’re going to see more money continue to move
By Marc-André Bechet, ALFI – Luxembourg is in a quite unique position as a global funds jurisdiction compared to other financial centres in the European Union. The country enjoys an unrivalled political and economic stability. It benefits from a triple A rating with a stable outlook, which has been re-confirmed in September by the three rating agencies Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and DBRS Morningstar. Luxembourg is one of the ten countries worldwide with a triple A rating. Debt to GDP, although on the rise as a consequence of the current crisis, will soon reach 26 per cent but remains well
By A Paris – Uncertainty remains the order of the day as the world heads into a period of slow recovery which risks being scuppered by a variety of factors including the US elections, trade tensions and the prolonged impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Financial services practitioners in Luxembourg, like their peers in other jurisdictions, have had to navigate this volatile environment while continuing to provide a seamless service to clients.
“The crisis has been a strong accelerator of change by spotlighting our resilience, as well as our ability to adapt. While organisations are considering how to accommodate working from home to
By Emily Fuller, Deborah Low, Ellen McGinnis and Emma Russell, Haynes and Boone – ‘Sustainability’ and ‘ESG’ have become trendy buzzwords in the finance world of late, but is the concept that wealth creation and management should be beneficial to the environment and society really that new? This article will look at the similarities and differences between ESG investment guidelines and long standing principles of investment practiced under Shariah law and discuss the implications of such restrictions for fund finance.
City law firm, McCarthy Denning, has successfully advised flypop, a UK-based start-up and low-cost long-distance airline, on attracting significant investment from the UK Government’s Future Fund (opened in May this year) and other private investors. With the effects of Covid-19 resonating around the globe, the UK economy and aviation industry will benefit greatly from closer travel links with India, the world’s sixth largest economy. This crucial funding takes flypop closer to applying to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for its Air Operator Certificate. flypop plans to launch its first scheduled flights in the second half of 2021. Passengers will travel
Events
12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am
12 November, 2026 – 5:00 pm
