Elian agrees terms to buy SFM Europe

Friday 04 September 2015

Elian has agreed terms to buy SFM Europe, a leading provider of corporate services with more than €1tn of assets under administration.

The purchase of SFM Europe will increase Elian’s head count by 115, to 640 employees, significantly expanding the company’s European footprint and enhancing its corporate services and structured finance offering. On completion of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, SFM Europe will operate as a separate division of Elian.

Announcing the deal today, Elian’s CEO, Paul Willing, said SFM Europe was an outstanding strategic fit for Elian.

"SFM Europe has a long established reputation for providing the highest level of client service, coupled with industry expertise and an excellent client base. This deal will complement Elian’s corporate services business and extend the group’s geographic reach in the key European financial markets of Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Madrid, and Milan," he said.

Established in 1999, and spanning nine jurisdictions in Europe, SFM Europe provides corporate services for the management of securitisations, structured finance and asset finance to global banks, investment managers and blue chip corporates.

Jo Keighley, founder & Executive Chairman of SFM Europe, added: "We gave careful consideration to the future direction of SFM Europe.  Elian is an excellent business, which I believe is the right strategic fit; I am confident that putting the two complementary businesses together will bring benefits both to our clients and to our employees."

SFM Europe’s existing management team will continue to run the business on a day to day basis with Robert Berry, SFM Europe's CEO, joining the Elian executive team.

"Elian’s reputation, industry knowledge, and commitment to client service and staff development, make it the perfect company to take SFM Europe forward. I am delighted to be joining Elian’s executive team," said Mr Berry.

Elian specialises in the establishment and ongoing administration of companies, funds and trusts for multi-national corporations, financial institutions, high net worth individuals, family offices and fund managers. On completion, the group will employ more than 640 staff across 16 jurisdictions, covering all major time zones and key financial markets.