ARTICLE · 12 FEBRUARY 2018

Funds Industry Focus: Efficiency And Costs Will Sharpen In 2018

Walkers

Contributor

Walkers

Firm Details Global Managing Partner: Ingrid Pierce Office Managing Partner: Daniel Wood Number of...

View firm profile

Explore more from Walkers

Nicholas Blake-Knox, former Senior Legal Counsel of PIMCO's EMEA funds business who took up the role of head of investment funds at Walkers Ireland on January 1 assesses the economics of the asset management industry and the forces that are reshaping it.

IrelandFinance and Banking

Nicholas Blake-Knox

Author LinkedIn connections

Nicholas Blake-Knox, former Senior Legal Counsel of PIMCO's EMEA funds business who took up the role of head of investment funds at Walkers Ireland on January 1 assesses the economics of the asset management industry and the forces that are reshaping it. He also analyses the regulatory pipeline and potential Brexit complications facing the European and Irish funds industry.

To put it mildly, 2017 was an eventful year for the asset management and investment funds industry. Yet, despite the various geopolitical and regulatory headwinds that the industry has faced throughout the year, the number of Irish authorised investment funds and the respective assets under management have increased compared to 2016, based upon the latest available data.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Who Pays? Central Bank Publishes Industry Funding Levy Consultation

IrelandFinance and Banking

William Fry LLP

Securitisation: EU Council And Parliament Strike Deal To Revitalise The EU Securitisation Market

European UnionFinance and Banking

Proposed Legislative Framework For Individual Investment Accounts Published

IrelandFinance and Banking

EMIR 3.0: Changes To The Clearing Threshold Regime

IrelandFinance and Banking

CBI Consults On Third-Party Risk

IrelandFinance and Banking

William Fry LLP

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Finance and Banking
- Financial Services
- Fund Management/ REITs

Related Comparative Guides

Comparative Guide

Capital Markets

Comparative Guide

Banking & Finance

Comparative Guide

Project Finance

Comparative Guide

Lending & Secured Finance

See more popular content from

Finance and BankingWalkers

The Market Integration Package – Strengthening Capital Markets Supervisory Convergence

The European Commission's Market Integration and Supervision Package represents the most substantial EU capital markets reform since MiFID II, proposing to transfer supervisory powers to ESMA and harmonise fragmented regulatory frameworks across trading, post-trading and asset management.

European UnionFinance and Banking

CBI Consults On Third-Party Risk

The Central Bank of Ireland has published a consultation paper proposing new guidance on managing third-party risks that extends beyond traditional outsourcing to encompass partnerships, joint ventures, and fintech collaborations. The proposed framework aligns with recent European Banking Authority guidelines and DORA, introducing a lifecycle-based approach with enhanced contractual provisions and broader scope than the 2021 guidance it will replace. Financial entities now face the challenge of identifying

IrelandFinance and Banking

William Fry LLP

The EU Retail Investment Strategy: Implications For Fund Managers

The EU Retail Investment Strategy is a legislative package which introduces significant changes to the UCITS Directive and AIFMD, as well as MiFID II, the Insurance Distribution Directive and the Solvency II Directive via an omnibus directive (Omnibus Directive).

European UnionFinance and Banking

Beyond Outsourcing: EBA’s New Finalised Guidelines

On 18 September 2026, the European Banking Authority (the EBA) published its final report on the new “Guidelines on the sound management of third-party risk regarding non-ICT services (EBA/GL/2026/09)” (the 2026 Guidelines).

IrelandFinance and Banking

William Fry LLP

Financial Services Regulation 2025

Ireland is home to a wide variety of financial services providers. To support both providers and their customers, there is an array of financial services legislation...

IrelandFinance and Banking

McCann FitzGerald LLP

Final EBA Guidelines On The Sound Management Of Third-party Risk: What Financial Entities Need To Know

The European Banking Authority has published final Guidelines on the sound management of third-party risk regarding non-ICT services, replacing the 2019 Outsourcing Guidelines and introducing a broader regulatory framework. Financial entities will need to navigate expanded scope requirements, enhanced governance standards, and alignment with DORA while managing compliance timelines and contractual obligations.

IrelandFinance and Banking

Alternative Investment Funds

Ireland offers a sophisticated regulatory framework for Alternative Investment Funds, with structures ranging from ICAVs and Investment Limited Partnerships to Unit Trusts and Common Contractual Funds. The jurisdiction provides flexible options for both retail and institutional investors, with distinct regulatory pathways for RIAIFs, QIAIFs, and ELTIFs, each designed to accommodate different investment strategies and liquidity profiles while maintaining robust investor protections.

IrelandFinance and Banking

The New MiFID II Research Payment Framework

The Listing Act Directive introduces significant reforms to the MiFID II research regime, allowing investment firms greater flexibility in paying for research and execution services. This briefing examines how the removal of market capitalisation thresholds restores bundling as a commercial option and establishes a new EU framework for issuer-sponsored research.

IrelandFinance and Banking

SFDR 2.0 Trialogue Negotiations: Key Areas Of Focus For Fund Managers

The European Commission's proposed overhaul of the SFDR regime is entering crucial trialogue negotiations, with the Irish Presidency aiming to reach agreement by year-end. While the Council and Parliament have aligned on key issues like professional investor opt-outs, significant divergences remain on exclusion criteria for Transition funds, PAI reporting requirements, and engagement strategy disclosures that will shape the future of sustainable finance regulation.

European UnionFinance and Banking

The Digital Euro Project Moves To The Next Phase

On 30 October 2025, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) announced its decision to move to the next phase of the digital euro project.

IrelandFinance and Banking

William Fry LLP

China's new tax rules for offshore trusts - what you need to know

China has introduced a comprehensive Individual Income Tax regime for offshore trusts, imposing a 20% flat tax on settlors and beneficiaries with Chinese connections. With a 90-day transition window now in effect, affected individuals must urgently assess their disclosure obligations and consider whether existing trust structures remain viable under the new rules.

The Future Of Islamic Finance: Insights From IFN UK Forum 2026

Islamic finance is experiencing rapid global expansion, with assets approaching US$6tn and record sukuk issuance attracting non-traditional investors. The convergence of Shariah-compliant and sustainable investing is creating new opportunities, while AAOIFI Standard No. 62 and tokenisation developments are reshaping how Islamic finance structures are designed and implemented across international markets.

United KingdomFinance and Banking

Ireland Budget 2027 – Tax Highlights

Ireland's Budget 2027 introduces significant tax reforms aimed at boosting competitiveness and encouraging investment, including reductions in capital gains tax, simplified interest relief provisions, and a new Personal Investment Account with favorable tax treatment. The budget package totals €8.5 billion with measures focused on rewarding work, promoting entrepreneurship, and addressing housing supply challenges.

Important Changes To The BVI Companies Law Are Now In Force

Important changes have been made to the BVI Business Companies Act, Revised Edition 2020 (the "Companies Act").

British Virgin IslandsCorporate/Commercial Law

Common Reporting Standard In The British Virgin Islands: A Practical Guide To The Regime And 2026 Updates

The CRS is the global standard developed by the OECD for the automatic exchange of financial account information between participating jurisdictions for tax purposes.

British Virgin IslandsFinance and Banking

Comparison Of Trusts In The British Virgin Islands, The Cayman Islands And Jersey

The decision as to where to establish an offshore trust can only be made based on the specific requirements of the client.

British Virgin IslandsWealth Management

Update On Cayman Islands CRS Self-certifications And Reporting

Further to our recent update, the DITC has issued an updated CRS Entity Self-Certification Form and Individual Self-Certification Form to reflect the recent amendments to the CRS as implemented in the Cayman Islands.

Cayman IslandsTax

Updates In Respect Of Automatic Exchange Of Information ("AEOI")

The Cayman Islands Department for International Tax Cooperation has made the following announcements regarding the AEOI regimes.

Cayman IslandsTax

New Thresholds For PR By Independent Means

A recent change to the Immigration Law has resulted in a significant increase in the qualifying sums for persons seeking to make an application to the Cayman Islands Government for permanent residence by independent means.

Cayman IslandsWealth Management

Remedying Defects In Compliance With The Companies Winding Up Rules

The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands recently delivered a judgment in In the matter of Pinnacle Global Partners Fund I LTD.

Cayman IslandsCorporate/Commercial Law