Jersey’s ability to offer a quality service in the alternative investment space will ensure ongoing growth of its funds industry, according to Tim Morgan, the new Chair of the Jersey Funds Association (JFA).

Elected into the position of Chair at the recent AGM (28 June) of the trade association that represents Jersey’s funds industry, Tim, a Partner at offshore law firm Mourant, has practised in Jersey since 2003 advising promoters, investors, boards, regulators and service providers across asset classes including private equity, credit, real estate, hedge and liquid securities.

Prior to Jersey, Tim originally trained with Taylor Wessing in London and Brussels, before going on to practise as a corporate lawyer at PwC Legal and then at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein in London and New York, advising on private equity sponsored transactions.

Also on the new-look JFA committee are Michael Johnson, who has been appointed Vice Chair and who heads one of the largest fund services businesses in the Island, as well as a number of other appointments to ensure the committee reflects the different aspects of the developing funds industry. Chris Marshall continues as treasurer, Niamh Lalor as chair of the legal and regulatory subcommittee, Martin Paul as the chair of education and Steve Cartwright as the chair of the marketing subcommittee. Caroline Harrington also remains as Secretary.

Tim replaces former Chair Mike Byrne, who has been at the helm of the JFA for the last three years and was thanked at the AGM for his hard work on behalf of Jersey’s funds industry.

Following his election to the role of JFA Chair, Tim said: “Jersey’s funds industry operates in an increasingly complex market, but it is an environment that Jersey thrives in. With investors continuing to show an appetite to allocate to alternatives – Jersey’s sweet spot – and thanks to its ability to adapt, its deep pool of expertise and highly effective relationships between the regulator, government and industry, Jersey is in an extremely strong position to continue to assert its strengths on the international stage.

“In recent years we have seen numerous challenges to our industry but time and again we have responded adeptly, most recently through the implementation of economic substance legislation, underlining our commitment to governance and international standards. In recent months we have achieved record levels of fund servicing business, stellar growth in alternatives, big-ticket fund launches and rising numbers of managers choosing Jersey to bring their funds to market.

“To maintain our momentum, we must be brave, ambitious and clear about our capabilities as a jurisdiction that specialises in global fund structuring and distribution, and to that end I’m looking forward to working with the committee and stakeholders on and off-island as the JFA looks to support the ongoing success of our industry.”

Figures for Jersey’s funds industry show that, at the end of 2018, the net asset value of funds administered in Jersey rose to £320bn, the highest level ever recorded, with alternatives, including private equity, real estate, hedge, infrastructure and private debt funds, now representing 86% of that business.

An active trade association representing companies with Jersey offices operating in the funds sector, the JFA has over 100 members, including organisations spanning from niche independent Jersey-owned companies to global leaders.