En Voyage_Issue#11_Flickbook

Business
BUSINESS NEWS
Page 89
The road to
infrastructure
investment
Page 93
Heart of
Guernsey
Page 107
A 'connected
Guernsey' is
what we need
SEE GUERNSEY WITH
THE ISLAND’S YOUNGEST
ACCREDITED GUIDE
Guernsey's youngest accredited tour
guide has launched See Guernsey
Tours, offering a range of tours
and services to suit the needs and
requirements of the corporate, visitor
and local markets.
At 24, Victoria Robinson has
become the island’s youngest silver
level accredited tour guide, and is
passionate about sharing Guernsey’s
history, culture and heritage.
'From an early age I have had a
passion for Guernsey's history and
culture. I noticed an increasing
amount of interest from locals
wanting to learn more about
Guernsey and its history and
heritage. With this in mind , I have
created a range of tours and services
designed to suit local islanders,
alongside a comprehensive
programme of services for those
visiting or moving to the island
to join local organisations, and
of course a selection of tours for
visitors,.' said Victoria.
APEX ANNOUNCES
ACQUISITION OF IPES
Apex Group Ltd, one of the world’s largest fund
administrators, and Genstar Capital have announced
the acquisition of Ipes, a leading provider of fund
administration and other services to the private equity
sector. Adding $165 billion in assets under administration
to the Group’s portfolio, this acquisition will bolster
Apex’s private equity capabilities and depositary services
across Europe and position the Group as the fifth largest
fund administrator globally.
The acquisition of Ipes from pan-European private
equity firm Silverfleet Capital will further strengthen the
Group’s breadth of service and expertise in the European
market. Headquartered in Guernsey, Ipes currently has
265 staff across five European offices. As one of the
largest European private equity fund administrators and
depositaries, Ipes works with 195 clients and provides
administration and depositary oversight for 390 funds.
The well-established European reputation and robust
private equity infrastructure Ipes brings to Apex will
complement the existing European set up and extend its
private equity arm and expertise.
Peter Hughes, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Apex
Fund Services, said, 'This deal marks another momentous
milestone for Apex, positioning us as the fifth largest fund
administrator in the world—a goal we set out to achieve
over a five-year period but have achieved in just under
a year. Our focused growth strategy is designed to build
out the global Apex portfolio of services and increase our
expert resources across key markets. Throughout this
growth we remain steadfast and committed to upholding
the hallmarks of the Apex brand—offering flexibility in the
solutions we offer, exceptional locally delivered customer
service, and wrapping that framework around best-inclass
technologies.'
As well as the traditional offering of
shore excursions for visiting cruise
passengers, island-wide walking tours
and bespoke private tours for visitors
and locals, there will be a range of
services targeted at the corporate
market, including orientation tours for
newcomers, local presentations for
corporate events and tours designed
for visiting clients or guests.
'I hope the launch of See Guernsey
Tours will open up options for local
islanders and visitors alike to see,
discover and experience Guernsey in
a unique, fun and engaging way.'
RAVENSCROFT ADDS
MORE THAN £1.5b
TO ASSETS UNDER
ADMINISTRATION
Ravenscroft has grown its assets
under administration to £4.44b
– an increase of 55% in 12 months.
Its annual report shows that the
company has increased group
revenue by 15% to £20.00m, the first
time it has reached £20m since the
business started 12 years ago, with
recurring revenues up 50% from
£7.61m in 2016 to £11.45m in 2017.
Gross profit increased by 14% to
£17.21m and the board has declared
a dividend of 12p per share making
an annual dividend of 17p per share.
‘These are impressive results which
have come about through hard
work, a drive to do the very best for
our clients and a commitment to
ensure that we continue to diversify
the company to ensure it can offer
investors a choice of investments
that will meet their long-term
objectives,’ said Chairman Stephen
Lansdown, CBE.
As well as launching a treasury
service and onshore versions of
two of its Huntress funds, the year
also saw Ravenscroft backing a
management buy-out of D2 Real
Estate and acquire a 50% stake
in the company to strengthen
its property proposition. It also
acquired 100% of Guernsey Mint
Refined Limited, which trades as
BullionRock, to enable it to offer
precious metals as an alternative
asset class. The financial year
ended with Ravenscroft being
appointed as investment manager
to the Guernsey Investment Fund,
which is backed by the States of
Guernsey and private investors.
‘It really has been an incredible
year with a number of highlights
which reflect the diversity of the
group,’ said group Chief Executive
Officer Jon Ravenscroft. ‘We
are now so much more than the
stockbroking and investment
management company we were a
decade ago. Ravenscroft has grown
and developed into a business
that has an investment option for
everyone whether that’s buying a
silver bar for your child’s christening,
investing money for school fees,
weddings and first homes, saving for
retirement or buying stocks to grow
and protect wealth.'
74 En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine