Global financial services provider Apex Group is taking over Alfi Partners, a Luxembourg-based third-party fund marketing specialist, the firm announced today. Alfi Partners will become part of Apex FundRock, the largest third-party manager of investment funds in Luxembourg. Financial details were not disclosed.
Alfi Partners promotes a selection of international asset management firms to qualified investors. Its network brings together European investors and non-European quality asset managers. More than 20 billion euro has been invested through Alfi Partners across all asset classes and geographical regions.
Apex is taking over Alfi Partners by acquiring full control of its Luxembourg-based parent company Alfilux Partners Sarl.
“We are excited to be joining Apex Group,” said François Defferriere (photo), founding partner at Alfi Partners, in a statement. Apex’s “existing distribution capabilities will enhance our cross-jurisdictional reach and strengthen our ability to offer clients a substantial, well-capitalised solution underpinned by decades of experience.”
Improving fund distribution
With Alfi Partners, Apex will enlarge its distribution capabilities in Europe. With eight employees in three European offices in France, Luxembourg and Switzerland, Alfi Partners is active in seven continental European countries and in six languages.
“Accessing EU investors has never been more complex and costly for non-EU managers, driving demand for our local market presence and insight, paired with global connectivity,” said Peter Hughes, CEO and founder of Apex.
Alfi Partners will rebrand as Apex and will become part of Apex‘s new Advisory & Capital Raising division. It will join FundRock Distribution, an Apex subsidiary authorised by the Luxembourg regulator CSSF to act as investment adviser. The acquisition boosts FundRock’s presence in France by strengthening distribution capabilities in this market.
Hughes underlined Apex’s commitment to help fund managers tackle the increasingly complex regulatory requirements of cross border fund distribution and support their asset raising activities. “With the addition of Alfi Partners, we will continue to evolve our distribution offering for clients, providing a flexible and economical go to market solution, including streamlined access to fund platforms, fund distribution support and direct representation.”
Royal London, Fundsmith
The acquisition follows a series of high profile distribution appointments for FundRock this year, including Royal London Asset Management and Fundsmith, and the establishment of a new presence in the Netherlands. In October, FundRock said it will provide specific resources and support to Fundsmith in the Italian market.
Established in Bermuda in 2003, Apex is a global financial services provider with over 80 offices in 40 countries worldwide and more than 10,000 employees upon the close of announced acquisitions. Apex Group delivers a range of services to asset managers, financial institutions, private clients and family offices.
Apex FundRock is a leading independent Ucits management company and AIFM investment fund manager. As of mid 2021, FundRock oversees more than 470 funds with a total of 119 billion euro in assets under management. FundRock has more than 170 employees in eight countries including Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. Regulated by Luxembourg’s CSSF and holding a Mifid licence, FundRock is able to act as global distributor and sub-distributor of funds.
Related articles on Investment Officer Luxembourg: