As from 13 April, in addition to its current office space at 47 Esplanade, Crestbridge, which also has offices in Luxembourg, will now also occupy premises in Charter Place, giving it the opportunity to expand its Jersey workforce to around 170.
The new office space will primarily provide greater space for the firm’s growing real estate and family office services business divisions, as well as its marketing and communications team.
The move comes after a hugely successful 2014 for Crestbridge, when it announced a number of key business wins, including establishing and providing continuing administration services to the Jersey-domiciled Kennedy Wilson European Real Estate fund, which became the second largest real estate IPO in LSE history, as well as a number of UK and continental European fund mandate wins across the real estate and private equity asset classes.
The firm also recorded impressive growth in its funds business, seeing an increase in the value of funds it administers from £1.84 billion to £15.06 billion, representing an increase of more than 700 per cent.
Commenting on the growth, Graeme McArthur, the chief executive officer of Crestbridge, said: ‘We are seeing rapid growth across our business areas, and particularly in the demand for quality commercial and residential real estate administration and family office services, driven by rising global demands for good governance, market knowledge and experience of working with cross-border structures.
‘With that in mind, I am delighted that, with our new additional premises, we are sufficiently prepared to expand further, meet market demands and cement our position as a thriving player in Jersey and Europe. Last year, our headcount increased by 37 per cent year on year across our offices in Jersey and Luxembourg, and we now have ambitious plans to build on this success, secure our position as a market leader in our specialist fields and expand into new geographical markets.’
Crestbridge offers a range of fund, real estate, corporate, capital markets and family office services. The firm has a 16-year pedigree in financial services, administers over $50 billion of assets across multi-jurisdictional structures, and supports a broad range of blue chip corporate and institutional clients.
Fairways new group financial controller
SARAH Anderson has been appointed as group financial controller at Fairway Group and Bracken Rothwell.
Her appointment comes at a time of continued expansion at the regulated fiduciary services business and its connected Chartered Accountancy firm.
Ms Anderson is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and has more than 25 years of financial services experience. She was most recently a finance director of a local trust company. Prior to that, she worked as an audit manager for an independent firm of accountants in Edinburgh.
In her new role she will be responsible for overseeing in-house accounting for both businesses as well as looking after the operational management of the group. ‘I am excited to be joining such a dynamic, owner-managed business and look forward to being part of the group’s continued success,’ she said.
Alistair Rothwell, managing director of Bracken Rothwell, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Sarah to the team and I am confident that her skill set and financial experience will help control the varied financial aspects of both businesses.’
Name: Paul Young
Age: 55
Name of business: Centurion Coaches Jersey Ltd
Established: 2014
Position: Managing director
Number of employees: Five staff to begin with. We envisage, with the purchase of a further seven vehicles and rapid expansion next year, to employ up to 20 full-time and part-time staff. We intend to work with Social Security and train any unemployed persons who may want to join our company.
What was your first job?
Cleaning football boots at Birmingham City Football Club. Not the most glamorous of jobs where I earned £8 a week, and my bonus was to be given free entry to all the home and cup games. As a frustrated Birmingham City fan, there were not many cup games.
What was your first break in business?
Meeting Tiny Roland in London at a speech he was making. He gave me great inspiration, saying you must work hard and always look for business opportunities, and never be afraid to ask questions. With this information I started my first business in Solihull.
What could the states do to help your business?
Have a more open-door policy. It is so difficult to speak or get a meeting with our politicians, and there is too much red tape for businesses. Offer more financial help to start-up companies.
Best thing about being in Jersey?
In the summer there is no better place in the world. You could be anywhere in the Mediterranean when the sun is shining.
Most frustrating thing about Jersey?
When the weather is bad and you cannot get a flight because of fog.
Family
I have a beautiful wife. She is supportive, thoughtful, patient and a strong character. I have four sons and am very proud of them – all have been very successful in their various jobs. My family is very important to me. We try to meet at least once a week, which is normally for Sunday lunch.
Interests outside work
I am a keen gardener and enjoy planting all types of flora. My wife and I play tennis and go for long walks, and I love to read biographies – people really interest me.
Favourite way to unwind after work
I love to cook. I enjoy experimenting with all types of ingredients and creating now flavours and tastes. Cooking takes my mind off any issues that may have occurred that day, good or bad.
My tips for success
Don’t be complacent, stay humble, exercise, always learn new things, and make friends from all walks of life – you never know how and when the next eureka moment will come along.
