For any financial services firm who calls itself a global player, a map without Luxembourg is incomplete. The Grand Duchy is the world’s second-largest fund centre, with more than €8trn in assets under management.

Hawksford, which supports clients in 120 countries around the world, provides services for companies throughout their entire life cycle. It is equipped to accompany clients at different stages of growth, from international expansion and corporate structuring through to fund establishment and private wealth and succession planning.

Completing the circle

But the “elephant in the room” for the Jersey-headquartered Hawksford was Luxembourg, says Simon Page, Head of Fund Services at Hawksford. As a major financial hub, the Grand Duchy represents a critical intersection for international business, European capital and cross-border structuring. It was a significant gap for two of the main segments that Hawksford serves: corporates and investment funds.

“For Hawksford, Luxembourg was a strategic piece required to create a truly global platform for clients operating across key international markets,” adds Sinan Sar, Managing Director (Corporate) at Hawksford Luxembourg.

The question to enter Luxembourg, therefore, was not “if,” but “how.” To bridge this strategic gap, Hawksford acquired three well-established local firms: United Luxembourg, Equiom Luxembourg and YT Group.

Each acquisition brought complementary expertise. Together they strengthened Hawksford’s corporate and fund administration, accounting and governance capabilities in Luxembourg.

“Luxembourg is one of the most important domiciles for investment funds, especially for alternative funds,” adds Claude Crauser, Managing Director (Funds), at Hawksford Luxembourg. As at the end of April 2026, the country had €3.2trn of assets under management in alternative investment funds, and benefits from a wide range of fund vehicles and a knowledgeable ecosystem that has helped the alternatives industry flourish. “It completes an important part of Hawksford’s platform.”

With its full and integrated service offering, Hawksford is now ready to tackle the Luxembourg market and continue growing. As Daniel Hainsworth, Head of Corporate at Hawksford, puts it: the acquisitions allowed the firm to “hit the ground running in Luxembourg,” instantly capable of offering a depth of local knowledge to its international clients.

A “seamless” experience

Clients, who are often based outside of Luxembourg, need experts to take care of matters related to the various entities set up in the Grand Duchy – and Hawksford has the necessary expertise. “It’s a turnkey solution,” says Crauser, and, for fund managers, it also means having one provider that understands how Luxembourg structures interact with Jersey, Cayman and other global investment centres, without clients having to manage that complexity themselves.

Thanks to its global platform and foothold in Luxembourg, the firm removes the friction often associated with cross-border operations. “Managers want structures that work across Luxembourg, Jersey, Cayman and other key centres, but they do not want that complexity to feel fragmented,” says Page. “The value is in making it seamless.” With Hawksford’s support, clients no longer have to manage the complexity of fragmented service providers; they have a single partner capable of navigating the global regulatory landscape on their behalf.

With the rise of alternative funds, Hawksford’s expertise in servicing all types of funds is a major asset. Its experience ranges from venture capital to private equity funds, private debt, fund-of-funds, crypto funds, real estate and tangible assets, notes Crauser.

Page adds that managers are also looking more closely at private credit, infrastructure and energy transition strategies. “Fund managers want certainty, responsiveness and joined-up support across jurisdictions,” he says. “As structures become more sophisticated and increasingly cross-border, what matters is having a partner that can support the full investment life­cycle while helping clients navigate complexity with confidence.”

Clients seek consistency and continuity

In addition to fluidity in exchanges, continuity is an essential characteristic in an environment shaped by challenges like regulatory complexity, increasing reporting requirements, cybersecurity, data governance and cost pressures.

Luxembourg’s financial industry is often characterised by high staff turnover and commoditised services, meaning many firms struggle with recruitment. But Hawksford has not encountered this issue. The company’s approach is to lean heavily into the “people” aspect of its business, prioritising client interactions with senior leadership and ensuring that its staff are well-valued.

“Within the United business, the average seniority for senior staff members is around 12 years,” notes Sar. For a company that’s 18 years old, that’s quite an impressive figure, he argues, particularly when one considers the fact that young professionals in Luxembourg often jump between firms.

The longevity of senior staff is where Hawksford brings added value, says Hainsworth. These leaders are not just in charge of bureaucratic procedures; they are also connected to vast advisor networks and local market industry bodies including ALFI, L3A, LPEA and LuxCMA. They offer a “pragmatic approach” and the philosophy of “thinking beyond tomorrow,” helping clients anticipate challenges, identify opportunities and make decisions with confidence.

Adaptability and flexibility are also aspects that clients seek, according to Sar, who notes that Hawksford is happy to tailor its offering to match a client’s needs. This continuity, senior-led model and entrepreneurial mindset are especially attractive to emerging and mid-market managers who require institutional-quality support but want to avoid feeling “lost” in the massive platforms of larger competitors.

Helping clients navigate regulatory and operational complexity

The landscape in which Hawksford operates is becoming increasingly complex. From the growing regulatory complexity that has followed the 2008 financial crisis to the rise of retailisation in alternative funds, the industry is in a state of constant flux.

Crauser compares the succession of recent global crises – the covid-19 pandemic, inflation, and geopolitical turmoil – to the “Echternach Hopping Procession,” or “Sprangprëssioun,” in that the world seems to “hop” from one challenge to the next. This environment has created a sense of insecurity among international investors, making the need for trusted, local expertise more vital than ever.

Technological advancement, particularly AI, is also reshaping operations. While Hawksford is embracing AI to reduce administrative burdens and improve accuracy, the firm remains adamant that technology should enhance rather than replace human relationships.

“I think it’s going to become even more of a people business,” says Sar. While AI will improve efficiency, it is unlikely to replace the experience, judgement and personal relationships clients value most. “We see technology as an enabler, but the ‘human touch’ remains at the heart of Hawksford’s client experience,” adds Crauser.

Looking forward

Luxembourg is not an endpoint for Hawksford. Instead, it is the foundation for the firm’s wider European and international growth ambitions. The acquisitions in the Grand Duchy are a statement of intent, signaling that Hawksford is ready to compete as a serious global alternative for clients who value both international reach and senior-led, bespoke service.

“Clients increasingly expect support that spans jurisdictions, asset classes and stages of growth,” says Page. “Luxembourg strengthens our ability to deliver that through a combination of local expertise and international reach, while creating opportunities for further growth across the wider platform.”

The firm’s vision is one of long-term partnership with the jurisdictions in which it operates. By investing in established businesses and veteran talent, Hawksford is building a platform designed for sustainable growth, while maintaining the local expertise that clients value.

“Our message is simple: we are here for the long term,” Hainsworth concludes. “Luxembourg is an important part of Hawksford’s future, and we believe Hawksford can be a meaningful part of Luxembourg’s future as well.”

As the firm looks forward, its strategy remains rooted in the belief that global growth is best achieved through a platform of deep local expertise and unwavering commitment to continuity.

Learn more about Hawksford’s offering here.