1.What makes Jersey a globally respected jurisdiction for fund domiciliation and cross-border investment?
Jersey is a very stable jurisdiction with excellent regulation. What’s unique is that the regulators here are not just rigid rule enforcers, they’re flexible and engage constructively with service providers on the island, of which there are many high-quality firms.
There’s a great cadre of professional advisors: lawyers, trust specialists, fund administrators like ourselves, accountants, all operating at a very high level. The combination of regulatory stability, legislative consistency, and the strong working relationship between regulators and service providers makes Jersey an attractive place for fund managers and investors seeking a full-service offering.
At Ocorian, we engage regularly with the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) and with Jersey Finance. There’s a very joined-up approach between legislators, regulators, and service providers, which is quite powerful for clients seeking certainty and quality.
If I may add, we recently conducted a survey of US fund managers. Although the results haven’t been released yet, the preliminary findings indicate that regulatory complexity is a significant factor for US managers. They perceive Jersey and the Channel Islands as far less complex compared to the US, Hong Kong, the Middle East, or even the UAE. So, Jersey’s regulatory environment is definitely in its favor.
2. Could you introduce Ocorian’s operations in the UK and Channel Islands, and explain how your fund services team supports clients throughout the investment cycle?
Ocorian was founded in Jersey back in 1971, so we’ve been here over 54 years, to be precise. Our business has three primary divisions: Fund Services, which I lead, as well as Private Client Services and Corporate Services. All three are highly respected, both locally and internationally.
In fund services, we operate extensively across Europe, especially in the UK and the Channel Islands. Ocorian is recognized as a leading fund administrator. Here in Jersey, we have around 200 employees in total, with about 80 dedicated to fund services.
We provide comprehensive fund administration, covering the entire life cycle of a fund. That includes fund setup, asset acquisition, ongoing administration for however long the fund is active, whether that’s five, eight, ten, or even fifteen years, and ultimately the disposal of the assets.
Our services include fund administration, banking, accounting, and company secretarial support. We’re truly a full-service fund administrator for fund managers. We work with new fund managers who may be experts in their investments but rely on us for structuring and operational guidance. We also partner with experienced managers who’ve launched multiple funds and simply need a trusted partner to handle the operational side.
Within the group, we also support publicly listed funds, which adds another dimension to our services.
We have an outstanding team, including a robust onboarding department. Onboarding has two sides: conducting rigorous due diligence and transferring books and records from clients’ systems to our own platforms. This process is highly technical, and our technology has helped us win several significant mandates, including some large and complex funds we’re currently working on.
3. Could you tell us more about Ocorian’s capabilities in real estate fund administration?
Absolutely. Within our funds team, those 80 or so employees here in Jersey, we have significant expertise in real estate, private equity, and Islamic finance.
Our Islamic finance capability is particularly interesting, although it often overlaps with real estate, since many Middle Eastern investors channel their investments into real estate assets through Sharia-compliant structures.
Right now, for example, we’re onboarding a couple of real estate funds that will collectively involve about 180 structures. It’s a large and complex mandate. The assets themselves are not located in Jersey but are spread across the UK and other jurisdictions. We collaborate closely with our colleagues globally to manage these cross-border structures.
To facilitate this, Ocorian operates a global operating model, much like McDonald’s, where you expect the same quality and process everywhere. Each jurisdiction follows broadly similar procedures, which benefits our clients and allows us to transfer work between offices seamlessly, maintaining consistent quality and efficiency.
4. How is Ocorian integrating technology and automation into its fund administration processes to improve efficiency and accuracy for clients?
Technology and automation are crucial for us. Nearly every fund administrator today has some level of technology, but we’ve made it a real priority to push for advanced tech solutions.
Beyond improving efficiency, technology helps de-risk operations by reducing human error. For instance, we’ve developed systems that can take a supplier’s digital invoice, whether from an auditor, accountant, or lawyer, and process it entirely through to payment without human intervention.
The system uses optical character recognition to capture invoice data, feeds it into our accounting platform, completes bookkeeping, integrates with banking systems for payment, and finalizes records, all with automated checks and approvals. This has reduced the time required for processing payments by about 75%. More importantly, it significantly reduces the risk of errors, which is a major benefit both for us and our clients.
Beyond payments, we also use advanced systems for due diligence, investor onboarding, asset verification, and other administrative functions. Each of these areas benefits from increased efficiency and reduced operational risk.
We’re also closely integrated with BlackRock, who own the eFront platform, which is our primary accounting and record-keeping system. We work collaboratively with BlackRock to develop enhancements, test new features, and ensure we’re always on the latest versions. That partnership has been very beneficial.
5. As global investors, including many from the US, seek reliable and cost-effective fund administration, how does Jersey meet those needs, and how is Ocorian facilitating that access?
Jersey’s appeal lies in its stability, tax neutrality, and strong legal and regulatory framework. It’s well-connected to the UK, Europe, and international markets.
In terms of cost, Jersey isn’t the cheapest jurisdiction, but it’s also not as expensive as Luxembourg or London. The key is that it offers very high-quality services, comparable with other leading financial centers, but often at a more attractive price point.
For US investors, Jersey serves as a gateway into Europe with regulatory requirements that are less burdensome than in the EU. It’s not a “light-touch” jurisdiction, but it’s certainly more straightforward than some alternatives like Luxembourg.
The legal framework and business culture in Jersey are similar to those in the UK, so there are few surprises for investors. The quality of service providers, like fund administrators, lawyers, and accountants, is excellent, which gives investors confidence in choosing Jersey as a jurisdiction.
6. What trends are you seeing in fund structuring and investor demand, and how is Ocorian adapting across the UK and Channel Islands?
Thankfully, we’re starting to see a turnaround after what was a quiet 2024. Last year, high interest rates and broader uncertainty kept transaction levels relatively low. However, business confidence is returning, and we’re anticipating much more market activity in 2025.
Within Ocorian, we’re already seeing increased business, particularly from existing fund managers launching new products. The confidence levels are higher, and fundraising is proceeding more smoothly than last year.
A good example is Ocorian’s own situation: we’re owned by the private equity firm Inflexion, which recently rolled Ocorian and three other Inflexion portfolio companies into a new continuation vehicle. That transaction totaled £2.3 billion, the largest continuation vehicle in Europe to date. It was significantly oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor appetite and confidence in the market.
While new fund launches are still ramping up, we’re optimistic for the remainder of 2025 and beyond.
7. What would you identify as the main challenges faced by fund administrators today?
The biggest challenge right now is talent and recruitment. It may sound basic, but it’s crucial. As new funds and mandates come in, the question becomes: who’s going to do the work?
We’re fortunate at Ocorian that we’re not struggling, but securing high-quality people requires proactive effort and competitive compensation.
On the regulatory front, we’re not currently facing major challenges. Regulation is always evolving, but there’s nothing on the horizon causing significant concern.
Financially, clients continually demand that we do more, do it better and faster, and sometimes for less cost. That’s part of why we’re investing heavily in technology, to enhance efficiency without sacrificing quality.
There’s also a broader demographic challenge in Jersey, as in many places across Europe. The population is aging, and there are fewer younger people entering the workforce. Housing affordability is another issue that can impact younger professionals’ ability to build careers here. Still, Ocorian has been successful in maintaining a stable team, with average service length exceeding seven or eight years—a sign of strong staff loyalty and a positive working environment.
8. Finally, what message would you like to share with Newsweek readers considering Jersey as an investment or tourism destination?
I’ll repeat what I’ve said before: if you come here even for business, you’re going to enjoy yourself.
Jersey is a solid, well-managed jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure, regulation, and an engaged regulator who understands where the island’s economic wealth comes from and is willing to work with the industry.
There’s a relatively small community of regulators and service providers, which allows for productive collaboration and swift decision-making in the best interests of the island and its business community. The government of Jersey also fully supports the financial sector, making the jurisdiction genuinely open for business.
Plus, of course, there’s the sunshine, and let’s not forget the cows, potatoes, and ice cream!
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