AI Magazine Issue 10 2018

34 Acquisition International - Issue 10 2018 KB Associates (KBA) is an independent provider of management company and consulting services. We spoke to the firm’s Product Manager Paul Carrigg who reveals more about KBA following its success in the 2018 Global Excellence Awards as the Most Outstanding Management Company Consultancy 2018 – Ireland. stablished in 2003, KBA is a professional services consulting firm whose principal business lines are: • The provision of management company services to both UCITS and AIFMD compliant funds. • The provision of compliance, governance, operational and risk consulting services to UCITS/AIFMD compliant self-managed investment companies and to proprietary management companies. In addition to this, KBA provides a range of ancillary services which include: • Company Secretary services • Director services • General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) services • Global fund registration services • Money Laundering Reporting Officer (“MLRO”) services KBA supports in excess of one hundred and thirty asset managers with approximately 70% operating UCITS funds and 30% operating AIFs. Going into further detail about the firm, Paul informs us of the firm’s approach when launching a new fund structure for a client. “KBA has detailed project management experience and has been responsible for the project management of in excess of eighty new fund launches. We take responsibility for the distribution of a project plan and organise a call schedule for each new client launch. The KBA team also sets milestones and targets for each party to ensure collaboration between all involved. Contact: Paul Carrigg Company: KB Associates Address: 5 George’s Dock, IFSC, Dublin 1, Ireland Telephone: +353 1 667 1982 Web Address: www.kbassociates.ie Independence, Commitment, Expertise E 1809AI39 “KBA usually establishes two work streams for each project, an operational work stream and a legal work stream. KBA also appoints a project lead from both an operational and legal perspective.” As a professional services firm, KBA develops its business in a highly disciplined manner with an average growth rate of 14% per year. As the requirements of its clients evolve, mainly as a result of regulatory change, KBA introduces new services to support this evolution. KBA’s growth arises primarily from references/introductions by existing clients. The delivery of service excellence to current clients is and will remain KBA’s most important activity. Growth at KBA is carefully managed at all times to ensure sufficient resources, most importantly human resources, are in place at all times. When discussing KBA’s ongoing strategy, Paul clarifies the approach the firm takes to ensure that it achieves its goals. “Many of KBA’s competitors are increasingly process/technology focused. While KBA uses and continues to improve its technology, it differentiates itself from the competition by focussing more on the recruitment, development and retention of talented professional staff. KBA adopts a consultative approach advising and assisting its clients throughout the fund establishment phase and thereafter. To facilitate this consultative approach KBA appoints only professionally qualified staff (Accountants, CFAs, lawyers) and invests significant resources to ensure staff are technical experts and that staff turnover is minimal (6% over the past five years).” In relation to the firm culture, KBA adopts a rigorous approach to staffing which dictates that only individuals with significant relevant industry experience who hold appropriate professional qualifications are considered for appointment. All consultants are required to hold a professional qualification and have at least ten years’ relevant experience. Associates are required to hold a professional qualification and have in excess of five years’ experience. Paul provides further detail on the culture at KBA. “Each staff member completes a rigorous in house technical training course which includes weekly training and review sessions over a six-month period.”