News & Insight

Our Latest News

07 August 2023 • Uncategorized

UK – Luxembourg DTT Ratified

We have waited since October 2022 for Luxembourg to join the UK in ratifying the amended Double Taxation Treaty (“DTT”). Now this has taken place, we note other commentators agree the changes to the UK-Lux DTT have many elements. This article summarises some of those elements, and explains how Centralis Group can provide best in class support […]

02 August 2023 • Uncategorized

The importance of an independent AML Officer in a highly regulated industry

Considering the highly regulated nature of the investment fund industry, it is essential that investment funds are confident that their AML officers possess the appropriate knowledge, experience and qualifications that are necessary to discharge their obligations. Constantly evolving legislation equates to a constantly changing AML landscape, which places even greater importance on the role of […]

02 August 2023 • Blogs

The benefits of outsourcing AML Services

Now is the time to outsource Anti Money Laundering Services  Not only is compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations critical for businesses who want to ensure they are operating on the right side of ever-changing regulatory requirements, it is also essential for businesses to ensure their fund operations are not compromised by illicit investment. Outsourcing […]

02 June 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

FCA Business Plan: Standards

Setting and maintaining higher standards The FCA’s recently published business plan for this tax year focused on three key areas the regulator intends to work towards improving over the next 12 months. The business plan shows a pragmatic approach, noting that many outside factors (technology, innovation, consumer behaviour and markets) can influence outcomes, but the […]

02 June 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

FCA Business Plan: Positive Change

Promoting positive change We are pleased to see the positive changes that are included within the FCA’s latest business plan, stating “The UK investment management sector manages £11 trillion of savings and pensions of millions of people across the UK and globally. The sector channels capital into investments that support economic activity. We want firms […]

16 May 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

The FCA 2023/2024 Business Plan

Overview The FCA has recently published its own business plan for the 2023/24 accounting year. Much like the prior year’s iteration, it is intended to provide an update to regulated firms, institutional, professional investors and consumers on the FCA’s progress on its own targets as it continues to build a regulatory framework aimed at assisting […]

02 May 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Why start-ups and emerging managers should futureproof their outsourced partner relationships

Starts-ups and emerging managers often see best results in their embryonic years when the internal team can focus their attention their core business and carefull-selected outsourced partners are used to fulfull essential support functions.  Given the pivotal roles such external partners will play in supporting the business, firms should use a holistic approach when establishing […]

02 May 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Benefits of filing your tax return early

At Centralis we encourage our clients to submit their tax returns well in advance of the 31 January deadline.  Not only does this avoid the January rush and give us and our clients peace of mind; it helps you to plan your cash flow. For example, if you are due a tax refund then the […]

21 March 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

The making of the UK new regulatory framework

As the UK moves toward a new financial environment post-Brexit, the FCA is beginning the process of shaping the new regulatory framework regime and is open to feedback from fund managers and investors through its latest discussion paper, which it will use to create an accurate picture of what investors and funds really want. The […]

20 March 2023 • Group Level - Services

Centralis Group Appoints Elizabeth Fitzgibbons as New Chief Commercial Officer

Luxembourg, London, March 20, 2023 – Centralis Group, an acclaimed provider of alternative investments and outsourced corporate services, is delighted to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Fitzgibbons as the company’s new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective from March 20th. With close to 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, Fitzgibbons is a highly […]

16 March 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Increased regulatory focus on anti-money laundering non-compliance – is your investment fund prepared?

Regulators globally are placing increased focus on the identification of anti-money laundering (“AML”) control deficiencies and Know Your Customer non-compliance. This places even more scrutiny on the AML officers who are charged with ensuring that an AML framework is robust and at all times compliant with jurisdictional AML regimes. In the alternative investment funds space, […]

13 March 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

FCA observations on firms’ implementation of IFPR

The FCA has released its feedback on how well firms are implementing the requirements of ICARA and IFPR reporting and concludes there is clear room for improvement. The regulator has identified four  specific areas of concern and it’s evident that stepping up access to expertise in this area either in-house or through a third party […]

13 March 2023 • Tax

End of the tax year – Employer Compliance

As we approach the end of the tax year, employers will be preparing for their end of year payroll obligations. Listed below are some of the planning and compliance related matters that employers and employees may need to think about. Contact us to know more about how we can help you with your tax, accounting, […]

13 March 2023 • Tax

Have you considered a Family Investment Company?

A Family Investment Company (FIC) offers a tax efficient way to retain control over assets and pass them to the next generation. It is therefore worth considering them as part of a strategy for inheritance, succession and wealth planning. Estate planning is not just about saving inheritance tax, although that may be a key objective […]

17 February 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Digitisation is no longer an emerging trend, it’s a necessity to stay ahead

Across all industries, digital transformation is offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation. The workplace is rapidly evolving, and businesses have to be prepared to adapt. In today’s world, digital transformation technologies are used to operate every element of a business, from operations through to propostion development and management oversight and control. The digital transformation is changing business […]

15 February 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Year End Tax Planning

With the tax year end rapidly approaching, it is always an idea to consider whether there are any steps that can be taken to minimise your tax liability for this and possibly, future tax years. Below are a few of the common ways in which tax could, potentially, be saved:- Utilising Spousal Rate Bands and […]

30 January 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Firms should take a holistic approach to changing ICARA deadlines

The centrepiece of the FCA’s drive to develop firms’ financial resilience – the ICARA process, (which replaced the ICAAP regime for such investment firms), has been in place for over a year now. It culminates in the submission of a questionnaire, to be done at least annually, the date for which was decided by each […]

30 January 2023 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Should you consider moving your ICARA questionnaire deadline?

It’s now a year since the launch of the Investment Firms Prudential Regime (IFPR) back at the start of 2022, which channels the EU-led initiative for simpler, more proportionate regulation for investment firms, overlaying the FCA’s drive to build financial resilience and mitigate further against risk of harm to consumers, investors and firms. The centrepiece […]

17 January 2023 • Corporate Services

Navigating the World of Client Services: An Inside Look with Centralis Senior Manager Liudmila Pavlova

Can you tell us a little about you and your role as a Client Services Senior Manager at Centralis? In my role as a Client Services Senior Manager, I oversee the activities and output of the Client Services Team of currently 5 people, to ensure continuous and quality service to one particular client of Centralis […]

16 January 2023 • Group Level

Centralis Group Announces New Chief Financial Officer Appointment

Centralis is pleased to announce the appointment of Dermot Caden as their new Chief Financial Officer, as the company sets its sights on growth. Dermot brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as CFO for several private equity-backed businesses in the financial services and business services industries. He has a proven track […]

07 December 2022 • Corporate Services

Change of Basis

In mathematics, the change of basis is a: “technique that allows us to express vector coordinates with respect to a “new basis” that is different from the “old basis” originally employed to compute coordinates.” Mercifully, this is not a maths/math article. This article is a UK tax one though, about a topic which tax professionals […]

02 December 2022 • Fund Services

The means of our ambitions

When Centralis decided to offer fund services, it wanted to do it right. After obtaining a central administration license in 2016, the company now offers a full range of services powered by top-of-the-line software and IT infrastructure that match its agility, drive, and focus on clients. We are very proud to have completed the SOC 1® […]

01 December 2022 • Cayman Islands

Centralis Group launches Alternative Investment Fund Anti-Money Laundering Risk Management services

Centralis’ Governance, Risk and Compliance service line, launched earlier this year on the incorporation of Wheelhouse Advisors into the Group, continues to broaden its proposition to the alternative investment management sector following last month’s acquisition of Danesmead Limited. Luxembourg, London and Cayman, 1st December 2022: Centralis Group today announced the further expansion of its Governance, […]

30 November 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

The complexity of regulatory reporting continues

The IFPR is approaching its one-year anniversary and the majority of firms are now familiar with the new ICARA process. A year on and the impact of new requirements is still causing ongoing challenges for fund managers. It’s not just the UK noticing the impact of new regulations; the EU introduced the Sustainable Financial Disclosure […]

28 November 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

ICARA in action: observations from year one of the new regime

It’s nearly a year since the ICARA regime was first introduced in the UK by the FCA, replacing the ICAAP framework that was part of the previous prudential regime. The purpose of the ICARA process rules – which are applicable to MiFID investment firms – is to ensure that investment firms identify and mitigate the […]

17 November 2022 • Ireland

Catherine O’Neill, Treasury Operations Manager at Centralis Ireland, tells us about Centralis’ Treasury outsourcing offering and why she has taken an open and flexible approach to her career.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?I have been working in Centralis Ireland for 7 years as Treasury Operations Manager. I grew up in Australia and, like many Australian’s, I decided to travel for a year or so before settling down back home. I eventually ended up in Dublin, planning to stay for […]

14 November 2022 • Corporate Services

Reasons to be cheerful: Accountancy

Fans of Ian Dury & The Blockheads will be aware that accountancy was not directly named amongst the band’s Reasons to Be Cheerful. A recent study has suggested that this might have been something of an oversight. The study, undertaken by Intuit QuickBooks and released to coincide with International Accounting Day, which: is actually a […]

14 November 2022 • Luxembourg

Centralis is proud to participate in the ‘Supporting Young Lives’ Toy Collection. 

20 November is International Children’s Day. First celebrated in 1954, the day draws attention to children’s fundamental rights, and strives to remind us that even today, in our actual country, there are children living in vulnerable situations, facing deprivation and coping with disability. Help us support charities and express your generosity to provide these children […]

09 November 2022 • United Kingdom

Annex IV obligations continue to burden funds

Asset managers selling funds into the EU are subject to a plethora of requirements, one being the obligation to file an Annex IV report. This is a detailed regulatory report introduced under the AIFMD which compels asset management companies to provide comprehensive information to the relevant regulatory bodies covering their underlying investments, investors, risk management […]

07 November 2022 • Hungary

Zita Tarjányi, General Manager of Centralis Hungary, has been at Centralis for 11 years. Let’s take the time to know a bit more about her.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. I grew up in the western part of Hungary, in Győr as a second child, I have 1 brother. I am spending my 40th trip around the Sun, moved to Budapest for my college studies (Finance and Accountancy) and have been living here ever since. I joined Centralis […]

28 October 2022 • United Kingdom

Centralis awarded ‘Best Regulatory Reporting Solution’ at Hedgeweek 2022.

Centralis Governance, Risk & Compliance, a subdivision of Centralis Group, has won a major industry award, recognising its success in providing the best regulatory reporting solutions. Centralis Governance, Risk & Compliance, a subdivision of Centralis Group, was named the winner of the ‘Best Regulatory Reporting Solution’, at this year’s US Hedgeweek Awards, at a ceremony […]

27 October 2022 • Cayman Islands

Centralis to acquire the business of Danesmead Limited

Centralis’ Governance, Risk and Compliance service line broadens its offering with latest acquisition Luxembourg, London and Cayman, [27th October 2022] Centralis today announced their intention to expand their Cayman business operations through the proposed acquisition of the business of Cayman-based directorship services provider Danesmead Ltd. The deal will see the acquisition of a varied client […]

18 October 2022 • United Kingdom

Mini Budget: Part Deux

A short article by Sutharman Kanagarajah and Jon Hanifan. Those readers who remember the 1980s in the UK are likely to recall (fondly or otherwise) the “Hokey Cokey”. A repetitious song in which participants are encouraged, for example, to “put your whole self in, your whole self out” prior to a timely U-turn. Avid watchers […]

09 October 2022 • Group Level

Following completion of Centralis Group’s acquisition, Wheelhouse Advisors & Centralis Group announce Wheelhouse Advisors’ name change to Centralis and the creation of a new Governance, Risk & Compliance service line.

Wheelhouse Advisors, the award-winning provider of specialist solutions to the investment management community, and Centralis Group, announce today the completion of the acquisition of Wheelhouse Advisors by Centralis Group. Wheelhouse forms the core of a new service line in Centralis Group – Governance, Risk & Compliance – created to build on existing expertise across regulatory […]

19 September 2022 • Group Level

Time to shine for Centralis

Headquartered in Luxembourg and founded in 2006, Centralis, a Professional of the Finance Sector (PFS), has grown into an international top-tier provider of outsourced corporate and fund services. Despite its growth and ambitious expansion plans, it continues to offer clients what got it this far: agility, excellent service, and a deep sense of trust. While […]

31 August 2022 • Group Level

Centralis announces Completion of Wheelhouse Advisors Acquisition

With customary closing conditions having now been met & regulatory permissions received, Centralis has now completed the acquisition of Wheelhouse Advisors in line with the initial announcement made earlier this year. Wheelhouse Advisors is a specialist outsourced provider of prudential management, regulatory reporting and accounting, tax and human resources consultancy services. This latest acquisition advances […]

29 August 2022 • Document

Overseas Property-Owning Entities: A renewed UK tax focus

A short article by Jon Hanifan and Sutharman Kanagarajah. In a previous flyer, published last month, we discussed UK law now requiring non-UK entities, which wish to buy, sell or otherwise transfer property or land in the UK, to: register with Companies House identify their registrable beneficial owners or managing officers, and update their record […]

22 July 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Fund Manager LLPs and Disguised Employees

Fund Managers will already be familiar with the salaried member rules which are, as stated in a recent First Tier Tribunal decision involving one Manager LLP: “…. intended to apply to those members of LLPs who are more like employees than partners in a traditional partnership. They are designed to ensure that LLP members who […]

19 July 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

The FCA’s ‘New cancellation and variation of power’ and what this means for regulated firms

In May 2022, the FCA issued a Policy Statement (PS) called: ‘New cancellation and of variation power: Changes to the Handbook and Enforcement Guide’.

13 July 2022 • USA

The United States of America: Blue Sky Filings

Mention of a blue sky might evoke thoughts within readers of fast approaching vacations (with hopefully minimal airport pain) or seemingly never-ending school holidays. Blue sky filings though, for non-United States (U.S.) funds wanting to raise assets in the U.S., may trigger an altogether colder response. The purpose of this short article, produced with the […]

07 July 2022 • United Kingdom

IR35: Football commentator on broadcaster’s teamsheet

In light of a recently published Tax Tribunal decision, the purpose of this article is to remind clients of their potential obligations under the United Kingdom’s off-payroll working rules. Such rules are typically referred to as “IR35”. While the case in question related to years prior to April 6, 2021, from which date the responsibility […]

04 July 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

IFPR Explained – 5

What are main changes firms can expect to see under the new IFPR regime around consolidated supervision?

04 July 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

IFPR Explained – 3

Are the same firms affected by the new IFPR regime as by previous regimes? Matthew Crisp and Michael Chambers explain

04 July 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

IFPR Explained – 1

When does the IFPR come in to effect? Matthew Crisp and Michael Chambers explain the nuances on the dates of the new regime.

22 June 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

The FCA’s 3-year strategy for improving oversight of ARs and minimising the impact of operational disruptions

The FCA recently shared reports regarding their future strategy for 2022 through until 2025. In this report, the regulator detailed their intention to enhance their regulatory

14 June 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Wind down planning: the FCA’s latest paper reviewed

The FCA recently released a thematic review report containing their key observations on firms’ wind-down planning procedures for wind down planning

30 May 2022 • Videos

IFPR, everything you and your firm need to know

What do all firms need to action now, in the lead up to the new IFPR regime going live on 1st January 2022? Matthew Crisp and Michael Chambers provide guidance

24 May 2022 • Governance Risk & Compliance

Confirm or bust – one month left to ensure your capital is eligible

UK investment firms subject to the FCA’s new IFPR regime will be well aware of the volume of notifications and applications that were and are required depending on individua

24 May 2022 • Blogs

The FCA’s 2022 plan, 3-year strategy and beyond: A spotlight on reducing harm from firm failure

In recent weeks, the FCA has shared their existing and future strategy for 2022-2025, detailing how they intend to measure performance of the financial services industry.

04 May 2022 • Luxembourg

Wheelhouse Advisors joins the Centralis Group

Centralis is pleased to announce the expansion of its current business by welcoming Wheelhouse Advisors to the Group.
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