The Bermuda-headquartered boutique, Equinoxe Alternative Investment Services, has opened new offices in Malta and Singapore, expanding its footprint to seven locations across the globe.

The new unit in Singapore is the firm’s first in Asia and is currently served by one asset manager. However, the office will be adding another 1-2 employees, said chief executive Stephen Castree.

“We have large clients in Asia, so it was important for us to have a presence there. Alternatives are a growing market in the region and with regards to regulation, there is an ease to doing business in Singapore. So this was a move that made sense,” Castree told this publication exclusively.

Malta is also an important jurisdiction for Equinoxe with a growing number of funds opting in for off-shore status and favourable taxation.

“With our Ireland offices, Malta is our second off-shore presence in Europe, which enables us to service clients looking for an AIFMD structure, as well as those opting in for more traditional products,” said Castree.

He also added that the potential for finding good management talent in Malta is high, and as such, the firm hopes to add even more employees to the current four in the Malta office.

“We’ve had significant growth in the firm over the past 12 months and this is why we’ve been able to move into other major financial jurisdictions. We are looking to open further offices in the coming year; a secondary unit in Asia, as well as another office in the US,” Castree told this publication.

Equinoxe has enjoyed explosive growth over the past year, with assets under administration rising from $8 billion 12 months ago, to $13.2 billion as at 31 August 2013. Employee growth has also doubled, and according to Castree, the firm expects its assets to reach $15 billion over the next few weeks due to client interest in the two newly opened offices.