Aztec, the C.I.-based administrator, has appointed Michael Saunders as global head of sales. Prior to joining Aztec, he was managing director, securities services, sales execution at J.P. Morgan. Before that, he spent over 25 years at Brown Brothers Harriman.
Category: Independents
UI hires CCO from Vistra
Universal Investment Group has appointed Antonio Soler as chief commercial officer. Soler will join the UI Group’s management board, reporting to Francesca McDonagh, group CEO. He will lead the group’s commercial strategy, overseeing all activities across sales, relationship management, fund distribution, marketing & external communications, and sales enablement. He joins from Vistra, where he most…
Allfunds and Apex collaborate on alts
Allfunds Blockchain and Apex Group have formed a strategic collaboration that enables the full digitisation of the operating model for alternative investment funds, leveraging blockchain technology to streamline fund administration and transfer agency processes. The solution delivers real-time execution, enhancing operational efficiency and data integrity for both the fund administrator and the transfer agent.
UI launches active ETF platform
Universal Investment Group, the Germany-based fund services platform and Super ManCo, has launched its active ETF offering. The new platform enables asset managers and fund initiators to launch active UCITS ETFs with efficient time-to-market, regulatory certainty, and full operational support. Universal Investment is already working on customised active ETF structures as well as a white-label…
Maples advises ORIX on new PE fund
The Maples Group has advised and supported ORIX Corporation, a Japanese financial services firm, on the launch of a USD2.5bn Japan-targeted private equity fund, in partnership with Qatar Investment Authority. This is the first time that ORIX has launched a fund with capital from an international third-party investor for domestic private equity investment in Japan.…
Ultimus completes SCS fund conversion
Ultimus Fund Solutions has completed the final phase of a conversion of 49 hedge and private equity funds for SCS Financial to the Ultimus operating framework. SCS, a wealth and investment firm serving UHNW families with USD54bn AuM and advisement, initially partnered with Ultimus two years ago to design a new scalable operating model to…
New CEO for Highvern/Permian
Highvern and Permian, which joined forces at the beginning of 2025 under the aegis of long-term investor Jacobs Capital, have appointed Caroline Connellan as group chief executive officer, effective 5 January 2026. Based in London, Connellan was most recently CEO of M&G Wealth. She succeeds Martin Hall, co-founder and CEO of Highvern for the past…
U.S. Bank & Ultimus support new BDC
Monroe Capital LLC, a U.S.-based private credit asset manager with c. USD22bn AuM, has launched the Monroe Capital Enhanced Corporate Lending Fund, a perpetual-life, continuously offered, non-traded BDC designed to provide retail investors access to Monroe’s direct lending strategy. U.S. Bank Trust Company has been appointed as custodian for the securities, with Ultimus Fund Solutions…
IQ-EQ supports record-setting ILP
IQ-EQ has supported Aspirity Partners as administrator of its inaugural fund, Aspirity Partners I, which has reached its final close at >EUR875m (USD1bn). Aspirity Partners is a pan-European private equity firm focused on buyouts in financial and enterprise technology services. Its debut fund has been recognised as the largest first-time private equity fund ever launched…
FactSet and Arcesium join forces
FactSet, the digital financial platform and enterprise solutions provider, has partnered with Arcesium, an investment administrator in which J.P. Morgan has a stake, to deliver a unified investment management offering designed to integrate front, middle, and back-office asset management workflows across public, private, and alternative markets. Integrating analytics engines, data pipelines, and AI-powered workflows, this…