ACOLIN Fund Services AG, the Zurich-based distribution services company, has expanded its presence and launched an office in the UK. Lorcan Murphy, previously Head of Private Wealth EMEA at Barclays Global Investors, has been appointed as Managing Director.

For the past five years ACOLIN has been linking fund companies with distribution partners across Europe, and has established market dominance in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, as well as coverage in Sweden, Netherlands and Luxembourg. Currently ACOLIN manages distribution for 27 fund managers, and represents over CHF1bn in assets under management.

"Our clients are looking to access the UK market and we are responding to that demand," says founder and CEO Daniel Hafele, "and with the addition of the UK office, we feel our proposition becomes even more compelling. Lorcan brings many years of experience in distributing to Private Wealth Intermediaries in Europe, and we are proud to have him on our team.”

The growth in UCITS III as a format for hedge funds as well as for traditional managers has put the management of networks of distributors firmly on the distribution strategies of fund managers of every size.
Haefele feels that a successful strategy combines the sales skills of the fund manager’s team, with the coordination and market knowledge of experts such as ACOLIN.

ACOLIN is the first independent fund distribution service provider operating cross-border. Its services address the needs of collective investment product promoters, such as asset managers, banks or other fund initiators. ACOLIN provide Swiss Representation services, distribution channel and commission management, and marketing and sales support.