PARTNER CONTENT
With over 20 years of experience in managing UCITS and AIFs, and as one of the first AIFMs to launch AIFMD-compliant funds, Waystone is an established operator of funds. Andrew Kehoe, Chief Executive Officer, Management Company Solutions Ireland, outlines what sets the company apart from other funds specialists and how the firm’s deep local knowledge coupled with a broad geographic reach allows clients to focus on managing their goals with confidence.
Describe your firm’s service offering and what makes it special?
With locations in 12 countries across the globe, Waystone can support its asset management clients wherever they’re located or wish to establish products. Waystone advises on and manages the establishment, operation and distribution of new products, allowing asset managers to focus solely on generating alpha. This can be achieved through expertly designed bespoke structures or existing turnkey solutions for ease of access. Services encompass management company, governance, compliance, distribution, risk, middle office, and operations support, all provided with deep local expertise, but in a globally integrated manner.
What are the three key selling points of your business and service range?
Waystone’s key selling points include: 1) our deep local expertise in various products and asset classes, 2) a broad geographical reach offering highly integrated services with a client-centric approach, and 3) our ability to provide investor access through dedicated structures or multiple turn-key fund platforms.
What economic forces – in Europe and/or globally – do you anticipate having the biggest impact on your business over the next 12 months?
The consolidation of the asset management industry and the trend towards alternative asset classes will continue to have a significant impact on our business over the next 12 months and beyond. The monetary policies of the ECB in Europe and the Fed in the US, which play a significant role in driving asset allocations in the market, will also impact our business. We also expect the rapid growth in ETF assets in Europe to continue well into the future.
How are you preparing for the above?
We are ensuring that we have the right product suite in the right jurisdictions to address the challenges faced by our asset manager clients and facilitate easy access to new markets. This involves employing suitable structures tailored for specific locations and asset classes. An example of this is the ELTIF, which provides all types of investors, including retail, with access to alternative assets.
Another key growth area is our ETF business, which facilitates the establishment and distribution of ETFs either through dedicated client structures or via our white label ETF platform. We are also broadening our distribution support services to ensure the success of our clients in raising assets for the products we assist them in establishing. These distribution support services include placing products on the appropriate platforms and providing support for non-EU managers to raise assets from investors in the EU.
How would you describe the role your services played in helping your hedge fund clients navigate the economic landscape of the past 12 months?
We have had several success stories in helping hedge fund managers navigate the complex regulatory landscape to establish new products across multiple jurisdictions. We not only help operate these products but also support their distribution to successfully raise assets in new markets. Ultimately, we’re a capable pair of hands to guide our clients through this challenging environment, ensuring a smooth, compliant and successful operational journey.
Andrew Kehoe, Chief Executive Officer, Management Company Solutions Ireland, Waystone – Andrew has been a practicing lawyer since 2002 and has a broad range of experience in the legal and financial services industry in Ireland and internationally. He is Chief Executive Officer of Waystone’s Irish Management Company. Previously Andrew was responsible for both the legal and business development teams at KB Associates and was the Chief Executive Officer of the KB Associates’ MiFID distribution firm in Malta. Prior to that, Andrew was a managing partner at a New York City law firm and worked as an investment funds solicitor at a Dublin law firm. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Fairfield University, a Juris Doctor law degree from New York Law School and a Diploma in International Investment Funds from the Law Society of Ireland. He is admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in Ireland, England and Wales, and is a member of the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Bars.
