AIFMD and UCITS Management Company Solutions
We partner with investment managers to deliver tailored management company services, overseeing key management functions for each fund.
In today’s evolving regulatory and investment landscape, engaging an independent Management Company (ManCo) is more than a trend—it’s a prudent, forward-thinking strategy. Waystone’s third-party ManCo solutions empower our fund manager and institutional investors clients through a cost-efficient, scalable, fully compliant framework, allowing them to focus on investment performance and maximising returns.
Tailored ManCo Solutions to Suit Your Strategy
Waystone offers both ManCo platform and standalone ManCo services, designed to meet the specific needs of each client. Our ManCo platform is a ready-made, cost-effective fund structure providing fast, streamlined market entry. For those requiring greater flexibility and control, our standalone ManCo services offer a fully dedicated, bespoke, governance and compliance framework. As the appointed management company, we assume responsibility for all primary management functions, ensuring robust oversight and operational excellence. Backed by deep expertise in UCITS and AIFMD compliance, our global Regulated Fund Solutions team stays ahead of regulatory developments, offering funds a competitive advantage in today’s complex investment environment.
Our AIFM and UCITS Management Company Solutions
1) Multi-Manager Platform
Build and scale your fund on Waystone’s fully outsourced platform management solutions, including:
- Regulatory hosting and reporting
- Distribution support and market access
- Product Structuring
- Investment management coordination
- Compliance and risk oversight
- Seamless fund administration
Our platform combines our institutional capabilities alongside preferred service providers with cost-effective execution — ideal for emerging investment managers or launching new strategies.
2) Client Dedicated Platform
Designed for large-scale managers, our dedicated AIFM and UCITS platform service allows:
- Bespoke fund structuring
- More control over governance and operations
- The benefits of institutional support with greater customisation
Clients retain greater flexibility while leveraging Waystone’s regulatory and operational expertise.
3) ManCo Solutions
Our AIFM and UCITS Management Company solution offers:
- End-to-end compliance and governance
- Ongoing delegate oversight and risk management
- Flexibility to choose your preferred service providers
This ManCo model suits managers seeking more operational involvement within a regulated framework.
4) ManCo Support
Already have a regulated structure but need additional support? Our modular support services let you select:
- Risk management
- Delegate oversight
- Fund operations
- Regulatory reporting
We provide regular reporting to controlled function holders, ensuring your oversight remains demonstrable and up to date.
Why Choose Waystone as Your Third-Party ManCo?
There are significant advantages to be gained when a fund is both managed and operated through our UCITS management company and Alternative Investment Fund solutions, including:
- 20+ years of experience in managing UCITS and AIFs
- One of the first firms to launch AIFMD and UCITS-compliant funds
- Deep expertise in fund governance, regulatory reporting, and risk management #1 Third-Party ManCo in Ireland by AUM1
- Fastest Growing ManCo in Luxembourg2
- #1 Authorised Corporate Director (ACD)3 in the UK
Whether you’re entering new markets or scaling an existing fund, Waystone’s UCITS and AIFMD ManCo solutions provide the regulatory foundation and operational support to help you succeed.
FAQs About Our ManCo Solutions
Ireland is a key domicile for AIFs as well as a service provider base for AIFs domiciled in other countries.
They market the fund to asset owners/investors such as Insurance Companies, Pension firms, banks etc.
They are used to provide funding to the real economy and to give investors the ability to get exposure to investment opportunities and financial markets.
Retail investors cannot invest in AIFs as they are considered too complex for the direct retail market.
RIAIFs are Retail Investor AIFs under CBI rules and are a hybrid between QIAIFs and UCITS. There are relatively few in the market.
UCITS are used to provide retail investors with an opportunity to invest and deploy their savings/pensions and generate a return based on financial markets. This can be investors investing directly into the fund or via their advisor, bank, pension plan etc.
Our Alternative Investment Management Company has dedicated teams across Europe that manage the economic substance requirements under AIFMD, including risk management, passporting procedures, and regulatory oversight.
The main benefits of UCITS and AIFMD fund platform solutions include:
- Rapid speed to market: a hosted solution means speed to market and access to a robust network of key service providers.
- Individual brand retention: sub fund managers retain their own branding.
- Legal separation and protection: each sub fund is legally separated and thereby protected from bankruptcy of other sub funds within the platform.
- Comprehensive platform management: our platform management fee includes all key service providers and AIFMD services including AIFM/management company, administrator, depositary (fiduciary oversight), auditor, directors, risk and regulatory AIFMD reporting, company secretary, KIID/ KID production and hosting and launch coordination.
- Streamlined cost management: we have taken on all these expenses directly and can pass on a single line-item cost to sub funds for all of the above – by limiting fees to a maximum, a manager can manage their total expense ratio with confidence.
1 Monterey Insight Ireland Fund Report 2023 (aggregating Waystone entities: Waystone Management Company (IE) and completed acquisitions of KBA Consulting Management and Link Fund Manager Solutions (Ireland))
2 PWC Observatory for Management Companies – 2024 Barometer
3 https://www.waystone.com/waystone-tops-independent-manco-aifm-rankings-in-the-uk/