Channel Islands’ funds industry set to benefit from global boom

Wednesday 14 March 2018

Guernsey and Jersey’s funds industries are in a strong position to capture a new wave of exponential growth according to the findings of a new report published by PwC.

However the report states that the industry needs to act now to modernise in a highly competitive future world and take a strategic view on how to remain relevant.

The report, ‘Asset and Wealth Management Revolution: Putting the Channel Islands Centre Stage’, explores the global trends driving rapid growth in asset and wealth management and identifies the opportunities and challenges for fund managers, service providers, regulators and policymakers in the Channel Islands, whilst also making specific recommendations for the Islands’ future success.

Pointing to the fact that funds in Jersey grew to £265bn in September 2017 and £269bn in Guernsey, Roland Mills, Partner at PwC, commented: "The growing interest in alternatives is excellent news for Jersey and Guernsey, which have unparalleled knowledge and experience in close-ended, long tail investment strategies. This niche is the Islands’ greatest asset, and recent decades have highlighted the Channel Islands’ capacity for strategic agility and innovation."

However, whilst the report, which has had input from a broad cross-section of funds industry leaders across the Islands, predicts rapid growth, it also identifies four interconnected trends driving this revolution in the sector. The industry needs to focus real effort around these trends to gain a slice of the growth potential. Tackling squeezed margins, the need to develop a clear strategy for the future, the importance of scale and operational efficiency, and integrating technology in all areas of the business, are all areas which will have a major impact on the funds industries in both Islands, and consequently need more urgent focus.

Mr Mills added: “If the predictions set out in our report come true, we’re set for a significant period of global growth in alternatives. However, there is no guaranteed right to share in this growth and the Islands must ensure that they take all necessary action to capture their fair share. We must continue to innovate with clear propositions and respond to the evolving market, with new, relevant products and refreshing existing solutions. Our high level of regulatory compliance and tax transparency will serve us well going forward, but we must get better at telling our story in a clear and compelling way. Undertaking detailed reviews of existing business models and products is vital to ensure that tax structuring, transfer pricing and governance remains fit for purpose."

Regarding technology, PwC Partner Evelyn Brady added: “As far as fee pressure and investor expectations are concerned, focusing on technology and automation to decouple growth in assets under management from cost increases is key. This focus clearly aligns with each Island’s population policies and the need to ensure good, sustainable growth. The Islands have a real opportunity to be an innovation sandbox for many of the large multi-national service providers that operate here and the governments’ abilities to offer incentives, such as tax credits, to stimulate and support such investment is compelling. But we must act now.”

The full report, Asset & Wealth Management Revolution: Putting the Channel Islands Centre Stage, can be found here and is based on findings within the following recently launched PwC global report, entitled Asset & Wealth Management Revolution – Embracing Exponential Change, which can be found here. 

Pictured: Evelyn Brady, PwC Partner