Investment Officer Luxembourg

Eurozone finance ministers have put forth a five-year blueprint to forge a robust Capital Markets Union (CMU) in what they see as an “ambitious” move to enhance private capital flow into Europe and underpin Europe’s costly shift to a sustainable and digital economy. 

This week’s overview of transfers, appointments, promotions and other people news includes updates from Waystone, Apex and Blackstone.

Alexandra Serban-Liebsch 

Alexandra Serban-Liebsch (photo) has been appointed as the new head of business operations for Waystone Continental Europe, based in Luxembourg.

Ireland’s competitive tax policies and workforce have attracted numerous fund promoters, propelling the country to become the EU’s fastest-growing and second-largest fund domicile. Despite these impressive achievements, Ireland faces challenges in overtaking Luxembourg as the leading destination for funds.

Investors in European Ucits funds have seen a notable decrease in fees over the past few years. Nonetheless, the largest US mutual funds continue to offer the lowest fees.

In an industry where performance is king, KKR has thrown down the gauntlet, claiming a victory in the long game of investment over the iconic Berkshire Hathaway fund. This bold assertion by the 553 billion dollar private equity behemoth not only challenges the storied legacy of Warren Buffett. It also sparks a fiery debate on the true measures of success in the high-stakes world of private investments.

With so much media and public attention focussed on large-cap companies like any of the Magnificent Seven, it’s interesting to hear the case for investing in small and mid-cap companies. Those are market valuations, respectively, under 2 billion and between 2 and 10 billion US dollars. Henrik Blohm, who has run the BL American small & mid-caps fund since 2015, is a big proponent.

Ireland on Monday took a step towards challenging Luxembourg’s dominance as hub for European Long-Term Investment Funds, known as Eltifs. Ireland will have three distinct categories of these funds, distinguishing professional investor Eltifs, qualified investor Eltifs, and for retail investor Eltifs.

The European Commission wants to abandon plans for a mandatory, 12-month redemption notice period for the second generation of European Long-Term Investment Funds, Eltifs. Meanwhile, Ireland is getting ready to challenge Luxembourg’s dominance in the European Eltif market.