The SMP Group of Companies (SMP), a global professional and financial services group headquartered in the Isle of Man, has today announced the successful completion of a deal to acquire Helm Trust Company Limited (Helm), a highly regarded trust and corporate services provider based in Jersey. The deal, originally announced in July, has been approved by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.
Helm has now begun trading as SMP Helm Trust Company Limited (SMP Helm), as part of a staged integration process that will see SMP’s existing Jersey office merge with the acquired business.
Lewis Buckley, who has been a Director of Helm since 2011, has moved into the position of Managing Director of SMP Helm, providing continuity of leadership. He has also joined the board of SMP Group, alongside fellow Helm Director, Claire Machin.
Lewis commented: “This is an incredibly exciting time for staff and clients of SMP Helm alike. Joining the group means significant, rapid, and targeted investment into our business, allowing us to drive improvements and modernisation across the board. We are also eager to act on the many opportunities for our clients resulting from an expanded service suite and office network.”
David Hudson, Group CEO of the SMP Group of Companies, added: “We have long considered Jersey to be a strategically important jurisdiction for us, something which is reflected in this deal and the invitation to Lewis and Claire to join our global board. We are really pleased to welcome such a strong team of professionals into our group and discover just how much we are able to achieve together, honing and developing our global service offering.”
The deal has been undertaken with the support of Palatine Private Equity LLP, the UK mid-market private equity house that guided SMP through its management buyout earlier this year, with additional debt funding from Apera Asset Management.
