Belasko prioritises Learning and Development

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Belasko has appointed Katie Bodman as Head of Learning and Development, a newly created role affirming the importance of staff development as a core focus for the group.  

Katie will be responsible for the development and implementation of Belasko’s learning and development programme to all staff across the group, Guernsey, Jersey, Luxembourg and the UK, for both professional and personal development.  

Paul Lawrence, Group Managing Director at Belasko said: ‘Belasko continues to experience strong client growth and so now is the right time to focus on the development of our people. Katie strengthens our team by bringing a specific learning and development specialism to drive the continued growth and progression of our teams.  

‘In addition to Katie’s primary role, she will also lead mental health first aid training and wellbeing initiatives across the group, which become increasingly important as we continue to grow across multiple locations.’  

Katie has more than 17 years of experience working within the human resources industry. She holds a CIPD level 3 in training practice, CIPD level 5 in human resource management and CIPD level 7 in employment law.  

‘I look forward to supporting Belasko’s focus on continuous professional development and growth of their people. I’ve always had a passion for seeing people progress, grow their careers and reach their personal and professional goals,’ said Katie Bodman, Head of Learning and Development.  

Belasko appoints Edward Green as CEO

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Belasko announces the strengthening of its senior leadership team with the appointment of Edward Green as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). This development will see current CEO, Paul Lawrence, transitioning to the newly created position of Group Managing Director.

Edward joins with 19 years of experience within Private Equity, Private Credit and Real Estate and most recently as Partner and Head of Asset Management at AnaCap Financial Partners (“AnaCap”). Edward will now take responsibility for driving the next phase of Belasko’s growth as a digitally enabled administration platform. Moving forward, Edward will base himself in London and divide his time across Belasko’s extensive operations in the four jurisdictions of Guernsey, Jersey, UK and Luxembourg.

Edward’s introduction to Belasko stems back to 2019 when he first met Paul with the pair instantly recognising a unique market opportunity to position a privately owned asset servicing business in Luxembourg, United Kingdom, and the Channel Islands, in a market dominated by private equity backed global businesses, leaving smaller asset businesses under serviced. This market opportunity ultimately led to the acquisition of Belasko by a group of strategically aligned private investors with patient capital support.

Edward Green, CEO at Belasko, commented:
“I am very much looking forward to continuing my working relationship with Belasko, having operated closely with the impressive team since its acquisition by private investors back in 2019. This new role will now enable me to more actively focus my operational skills, developed as both a client and an investor in several fund administration businesses, to drive the business going forward. I look forward to deploying my experience and network avenues to bolster the client proposition and further support the company’s growth trajectory in what is a very exciting time for the rapidly consolidating market as a whole.” 

Paul’s role as Group Managing Director will largely focus on the delivery of first-class client services, operational performance and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. He has more than 30 years of experience in private wealth, banking and private capital.

Paul Lawrence, Group Managing Director at Belasko, concluded:
“We see a significant level of high potential opportunities ahead for Belasko and I am very confident for the firm’s future development across multiple jurisdictions. I look forward to working closely with Edward and the wider senior management team as we look to deliver sustainable growth for the business.”

Edward will also be taking a leadership role in Equipped.ai, a technology business for alternative asset managers. This will present synergistic opportunities for working with Belasko clients to provide more holistic technology solutions.

Guernsey Raiders Rugby Club secures sponsorship from Belasko

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Belasko is proud to announce its two-year sponsorship deal with the Guernsey Raiders Rugby Club.

Belasko’s sponsorship will contribute to essential operational costs including both the men and women’s travel costs for away matches in the UK. This support will ensure that the teams can continue their participation in the UK league system.  

During the 2022/23 season, the Guernsey’s Raiders’ teams will take part in 36 games, half home and half away in the UK.  

Andrea Harris, chair of the Guernsey Raiders club, said: ‘We are hugely grateful to Belasko for their support. It costs approximately £100,000 per annum just to enable the Raiders’ senior teams to travel to the UK for their away matches. Belasko’s contribution will help to fund travel for the current season and for 2023/24. 

‘The role of the Guernsey Rugby Association in the island’s schools in recent years has increased the number of home-grown talented players taking part in Guernsey Raiders games. We hope to see more coming through the door in the future.’    

Ross Youngs, Group Commercial Director at Belasko, said: ‘We hope this sponsorship period will evolve into a long and fulfilling partnership. At Belasko, we are huge supporters of our local community and our employees.  

‘We are proud to support Belasko’s own Tom Teasedale and Dom Rice as part of this sponsorship, who both play for the Guernsey Raiders.’  

Belasko launches in Luxembourg

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Belasko is delighted to announce the next phase of its international fund servicing growth programme having received approval from the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (“CSSF”) to become a professional of the financial sector (“PSF”).

 

The new status will enable Belasko to expand its delivery of next generation funds services to  Private Capital funds structures and related corporate vehicles utilizing Luxembourg.  Belasko’s offer leverages the Group’s core strengths supporting Real Estate, Private Equity and Private Debt managers with leading technology and a tailored service.  Belasko Luxembourg is led by Graham Parry-Dew and John Russell, who successfully completed the application process and have recruited a  team of experienced transfer agency specialists, company secretarial professionals and accountants for our existing and growing client base

Speaking about the granting of the licence, Graham Parry-Dew said “this is a key milestone in the growth of Belasko Luxembourg and enables us to continue to support our Group clients with their Luxembourg structures.  We have a built a great team of hard-working individuals with a clear focus on client service, ably supported by our Group technology platform and processes.”

Paul Lawrence, CEO of Belasko, added “Luxembourg is a key strategic focus for us, and this news cements our commitment to be in the right locations for our clients to meet their requirements for a reliable, next generation partner to support them with complex fund and corporate administration.  Graham and John have hand-picked a team that understand the importance of client service delivery and we look forward to building our presence in this key European financial centre”.

The Belasko Group operates across 4 strategic locations servicing over $7bn of assets with approximately 85 staff.

Guernsey strengthens the team with two senior hires

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We are thrilled to announce two senior appointments to our Guernsey team as we continue to expand our ability and experience in the location. 

Leasa Callaway joined during March 2021 as an Associate Director heading up the Guernsey funds team. Leasa has over 30 years’ in industry with leading fund administration businesses and brings with her a wealth of experience having previously worked on a broad spectrum of fund structures and asset classes. 

Rachel Gardiner joined during May 2021 as an Associate Director and is responsible for the compliance and regulatory functions across all business areas. Rachel has extensive regulatory and risk management experience gained through previous employment with leading fund and fiduciary businesses.

On the appointments, Greg Mckenzie, Managing Director of the Guernsey office, commented “We are delighted to have Leasa and Rachel on board. They join us in a very exciting chapter of our journey and demonstrate both our commitment to Guernsey and our appetite to strengthen and grow the Guernsey business.”

Senior hires to lead entry into Luxembourg

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We are very pleased to announce the appointments of Graham Parry-Dew as Managing Director and John Russell as Director of Belasko’s new Luxembourg entity.

Graham has over 30 years of experience within the funds business working for large banks and fund services companies where he has held executive positions providing leadership through complex regulatory change. In recent years he has been heavily involved in AIFMD regulatory and service delivery aspects for leading fund promoters investing in all asset classes commonly held in Alternative Investment Funds.

John has over 12 years of experience in banking and with a leading fund services company. He has led teams delivering the full range of services required for Luxembourg AIFs and their associated structures. John is highly experienced in building robust teams and operating platforms. John will lead the operational teams and be responsible for client service delivery.

Commenting on their appointment, Paul Lawrence, Belasko’s CEO said “Graham and John join us at an opportune time during our development. Luxembourg, as the largest fund domicile outside the US and is a key geography for the future strategy of our business. Over the next few months they will be expanding and reinforcing the team to ensure that Belasko Luxembourg is perfectly positioned to deliver best in class services to the Luxembourg Alternative Investment Funds market”.

 

New Leadership Team for Guernsey

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We are delighted to announce the appointment of Greg McKenzie as Managing Director of our Guernsey office and Andy Bailey as Head of Fiduciary.

Greg brings over 16 years’ experience within global servicing businesses covering the funds, fiduciary and banking sectors. Specialising in alternatives, Greg brings a wealth of leadership and corporate governance experience to the business. He will oversee all aspects of the business in Guernsey including relationship management, client service delivery and corporate governance.

Andy has over 20 years’ financial services experience with leading independent trust companies and has extensive experience in complex private client and corporate structures that spans a broad spectrum of asset classes. Andy commences a growth role and his remit will oversee fiduciary service delivery across all Group locations, which will include business development, technical fiduciary matters and product development.

Paul Lawrence, CEO, commented: “Greg and Andy have come into the business at a very exciting stage in our journey. They bring energy and enthusiasm to the business and I am confident that their complementary skill sets will ensure smooth delivery of client service whilst supporting our ambitious growth plans for both Guernsey and the broader Group.”