VFS predominantly services small to medium sized fund managers, portfolio managers and family offices, who are looking to set up in a well-regulated, flexible and tax efficient jurisdiction. We provide fund administration services to a good mix of traditional and alternative managers, including hedge funds, private equity, derivatives and crypto funds. For those funds seeking access to the UK market, we also offer our AIFM services. Single/Multi-family offices and medium sized portfolio managers, can also take advantage of our Investment Management support services to help run their operations.
Gibraltar offers unique advantages as a fund location, including reciprocal market access with the UK under the Gibraltar Authorisation Regime. We have very competitive fund products, from Private Funds which have few requirements and only need to be registered with the regulator, to Experienced Investor Funds (EIFs), which are regulated, but can apply for authorisation up to 10 business days after their launch. Gibraltar funds are not taxed and are quite cost-effective compared to those in other jurisdictions. VFS leverages its local knowledge and regulatory expertise to help clients take full advantage of these benefits, ensuring a smooth setup and efficient management of their funds.
Small to medium size alternative funds often find it difficult to set up in the larger fund jurisdictions and costs can be prohibitive for them. In Gibraltar, we do not shy away from funds with alternative strategies and have ample experience servicing all types of niche funds. We were one of the first jurisdictions to embrace crypto funds and create legislation to support them. Our size and close-knit financial community, makes it easy for third party providers to get together and drum out the logistics of servicing complex funds. Easy access to the regulator and the relevant government officials can also help along the way.
Hedge funds in particular, can benefit from new AIFM exemptions introduced in Gibraltar, so that they do not have to engage full AIFM services if their exposure surpasses the EUR 100 million threshold (currently a requirement in the EU and UK). Private Equity Funds can set up Limited Partnerships under the newly revamped, fund-friendly LP legislation and benefit from the very favourable tax environment in Gibraltar.
VFS provides end-to-end support for fund setup and administration. We can advise on choice of fund vehicle and legal structure and arrange meetings with other third parties such as banks and auditors. For funds with hard-to-value assets, or private equity, we liaise closely with the auditors to determine the best valuation methodology to apply. VFS can also draft fund documentation and obtain any necessary regulatory permissions. Our administration services cover the standard functions of NAV calculation, accounting, compliance checks, transfer agency and secretarial services amongst others.
VFS combines extensive experience in portfolio management and fund administration to provide a comprehensive AIFM services package. We can help fund managers navigate the complexities of the AIFM regime, so they can benefit from UK market access. Our tailored approach to business, enables us to seamlessly integrate our services around an AIF’s operational structure and achieve compliance with AIFM requirements, with minimum disruption to the investment process.
Managers looking to relocate their operations to smaller, low tax jurisdictions such as Gibraltar, are faced with the logistical hurdles that are typical of such a transition. VFS has created an investment management support service to make the transition as easy and cost-efficient as possible. Initially, VFS can help managers to set up their investment firms and obtain the necessary regulatory authorisation. Thereafter, managers can choose to outsource all their operational functions to VFS, or only a part of them. Either way, the service can be completely tailored to the requirements of the manager. In the past, we have serviced numerous managers and family offices with varying business models, some of them still outsource their entire operations to us and others have grown and become fully independent.