• Acquisition enhances FE’s ability to help clients meet current and future regulatory requirements
• Complements strong organic growth at FE
• Strengthens firm’s position as a key partner to the fund management industry in the UK and internationally

FE, the UK’s leading investment ratings and research agency, announced today that it has fully acquired Global Funds Registration (GFR) and Kii Hub . The combined business will work closely with regulatory bodies and working groups in the fund management industry to understand and influence regulatory changes and recommendations.GFR is a market-leading fund registration specialist and Kii Hub is an award-winning provider of regulatory documents such as UCITS KIIDs and PRIIPs KIDs.

Michael Holland, Managing Director of FE said: “FE has long been a pioneer when it comes to helping customers address the fund registration, distribution and regulatory challenges they face today.  The addition of these two market-leading businesses to our firm will enable us to stay at the forefront of future regulation and most importantly, help our clients to meet their ever expanding compliance requirements.”

With the increasing emphasis on regulations, transparency and data, the acquisition will benefit FE’s customers by providing them access to market-leading expertise across the full spectrum of fund operations - from registration and distribution to ongoing and future regulatory compliance. Similarly, Kii Hub and GFR customers will benefit from FE's international presence, brand recognition, technological expertise and 24-hour support to better service its current customers.

Martin Neason, Director of GFR said: “For the past 10 years, GFR has been providing consultancy and specialised project management services to assist our clients increase the distribution of their funds into Europe and beyond.

"Today marks the next chapter and we’re proud to join FE and its shared vision for making the industry better informed and ensuring fund distribution is comprehensive, transparent and regulatory compliant.”

The combined company strengthens FE’s position as a key partner to the fund management industry both in the UK and internationally. The acquisition is part of FE’s strategy to actively expand and grow in key areas where it has historically had less presence.

GFR will retain its identity and Kii Hub will form part of FE Regulatory Services.