Apex Group Ltd, the Bermudian-based, global financial solutions provider, has announced the planned acquisition of Darwin Depositary Services, which provides depositary services to alternative investment funds.

Darwin, a leading independent AIFMD (alternative investment fund managers directive) depositary in mainland Europe, provides services to clients based in the Netherlands and outside the European Union, including hedge funds, real estate, debt and private equity funds as well as funds investing in infrastructure and renewable energy, Apex said.

Apex currently delivers depositary services through subsidiary European Depositary Bank in Luxembourg, Ireland, Britain and Malta. The addition of the Darwin business will add €4.5 billion of assets under depositary to the group (as at May 31, 2022), expanding the geographic scope of its independent depositary services.

Darwin’s experienced management team will become part of the Apex global team, ensuring continuity of exceptional service levels for existing and future clients, Apex said.

Apex added that it already provides depositary services to a vast range of regulated fund types, underpinned by top-tier technology and workflow systems.

The company said Darwin’s clients will benefit from the simplicity and efficiency of a single relationship with a global service partner across the full value chain of their business; including custody, digital banking, super ManCo and ESG rating and advisory solutions.

This is the latest in a series of industry-shaping global acquisitions for Apex, including the recently announced addition of Maitland’s fund services and ManCo business.

Following completion of announced acquisitions, the group will operate from more than 80 offices in 40 countries worldwide, with 10,000 employees servicing $2.75 trillion in assets across administration, depositary, custody, and under management.

Peter Hughes, founder and CEO of Apex Group, said: “The Netherlands continues to be one of the most attractive markets for fund managers to set up and access EU markets; the addition of the Darwin business will enable us to further serve the growing demand for depositary services across our client base.

“Our single-source model has been proven by an independent Forrester study to deliver cost savings and efficiencies through removing the necessity for multiple service-provider relationships, delivering efficiency and flexible solutions for all operational fund requirements, and we look forward to bringing this to the Darwin client base.”

Peter van Schaik and Frank Hand, managing directors at Darwin Depositary Services, added: “We are excited to be joining Apex Group to add further value to our clients through both now and in the future.

“The group shares our uncompromising focus on client experience and service levels, which when combined with their unparalleled global reach and product range presents a compelling solution for regulated funds.”

Transaction close is subject to customary conditions including regulatory approvals, which are expected in the third quarter of the year. Terms of the transaction are undisclosed.