ZEDRA, the fastest growing international specialist in Corporate Services & Global Expansion, Active Wealth and Fund solutions, today announces the appointment of Damien Fitzgerald as Head of Funds for Guernsey.
In his new role, Damien will lead the firm’s fund solutions offering and will be supported by the recently appointed Head of Fund Operations, John Donnelly, an industry veteran with considerable experience in client service management, financial reporting and fund accounting.
Damien has accumulated a wealth of knowledge with 23 years of fund administration, corporate governance, accounting and audit experience, including 17 years in Guernsey’s financial services industry. Prior to joining ZEDRA, he was Head of Funds at another renowned fund services administrator in Guernsey, leading a team of 70 and chairing all of their Guernsey regulated boards. Previous experience also includes senior roles at several other Guernsey based administrators as well as KPMG in Guernsey and Deloitte in Ireland. Damien is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Ireland and holds a Diploma from the Institute of Directors.
The Guernsey fund team specialises in fund establishment and administration, company secretarial services and governance as well as financial accounting and NAV production. In Q4 2020, ZEDRA’s Guernsey Funds AUA reached £1.7bn.
The funds team also supports the Guernsey Green Funds initiative which aims to provide greater access to green investments to end investors. As such, ZEDRA is currently assisting managers who wish to establish funds which qualify for the new green fund mark and plans to be one of the leading administrators in the green sector.
Wim Ritz, Global Head of ZEDRA Funds, commented: “We are thrilled to have Damien join our team. His in-depth knowledge of the funds industry will help us further propel the firm’s growth strategy. As highlighted by our recent acquisition of the fund and corporate services arm of Banque Internationale in Luxembourg, ZEDRA’s ambition is to be recognised as a leading fund formation and administration provider globally.”
Commenting on his appointment, Damien Fitzgerald, said: “ZEDRA is a successful and vibrant company that I am delighted to be joining, especially at a pivotal moment in the Guernsey funds industry with the implementation of the new rules for Private Investment Funds earlier this year, set to enhance the appeal of the island as a leading fund jurisdiction of choice.”
