Investment Officer

The anticipation for future outperformance plays an increasingly pivotal role in Morningstar’s methodology for bestowing its annual awards upon investment funds. 

Luxembourg-based Alter Domus, one of the world’s biggest asset services firms, has secured a new strategic investment from London-based private equity firm Cinven. Alter Domus said the transaction will increase its value to 4.9 billion euros, which indicates that Cinven agreed to pay the firm’s existing shareholders - its founders and Permira - more than half of that amount. 

Services, not fees, are increasingly driving client decisions in wealth management and private banking, a leading US consultancy has concluded in its latest study of clients in the high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) market segments.

In the latest report from MSCI ESG Research, a nuanced picture emerges on the state of gender diversity within corporate boards. Despite a marginal uptick in the percentage of women directors, concerns loom over the slowing pace of change, according to the annual Women on Boards and Beyond report.

Tom Theobald has been been appointed to succeed Nicholas Mackel as the head Luxembourg for Finance, the country’s state-sponsored association that advocates for the interests of the grand duchy’s financial sector. He will take on the new role from 1 September.

The new European directive mandating corporate social responsibility for large companies has been blocked by the European Council as yet. Germany, Italy and France last week withdrew their support for the proposal they had agreed to as recently as December.

Morningstar has announced the finalists for the 2024 Morningstar Awards for Investing Excellence Luxembourg. Twelve funds are nominated for a Morningstar Category Award, and six asset managers are shortlisted for a Morningstar Asset Manager Award.

The awards recognise those funds and asset managers that have served investors well over the long term and which Morningstar’s Manager Research team believes will be able to deliver competitive risk-adjusted returns over time.

This week’s overview of transfers, appointments, promotions and other people news includes updates from Pictet, Crestbridge and PwC Luxembourg. 

EU-level regulation adopted this week by the European Parliament places ESG rating providers under direct supervision by the European Securities and Markets Authority, Esma, a move that provides investors with more transparency.

This week’s Luxembourg overview of transfers, appointments, promotions and other people news includes updates from Vistra, the Luxembourg Capital Markets Association, Intesa Sanpaolo Servitia and Kaufhold & Reveillaud.