The move part of the firm’s strategy to bolster its European capabilities.

Jersey-headquartered Hawksford, a global service provider, has strengthened its European capabilities with the acquisitions of United Group's businesses in Luxembourg and Malta.

The latest acquisitions represent a step in strengthening Hawksford’s European footprint, expanding its proposition in Luxembourg, while also adding a new operation in Malta.

United Group’s fund services business in Luxembourg, which is licensed by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), will strengthen Hawksford’s capabilities in the jurisdiction across a range of fund and corporate services, including accounting and administration, director services and tax and payroll services. It is managed by co-country managing directors Claude Crauser and Sinan Sar, the firm said in a statement.

In Malta, the business is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). it offers a range of corporate, private client and fund services, including entity formation, general administration, bookkeeping, company secretarial, trustee services and payroll services. The team will still be led by managing director Mihai Cheregi.

Both acquisitions have received regulatory approval and are complementary to Hawksford’s growing corporate and fund services proposition in Europe. As well as adding a new jurisdiction in Malta, the acquisitions also build on Hawksford’s recently-announced acquisitions of YT Group and Equiom in Luxembourg, bringing its headcount in the jurisdiction to more than 80.

Combined, these recent acquisitions form part of Hawksford’s growth strategy, supported by STAR Capital. Hawksford has a global presence with around 700 professionals in key locations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia, and the Americas, providing tailored solutions to its global client base.

“These latest acquisitions represent another milestone in our growth strategy in Europe, where we are focused on adding expertise and on extending our footprint at pace in high quality jurisdictions,” Michel van Leeuwen (pictured), chief executive at Hawksford, said. “As well as further building our presence in Luxembourg, these acquisitions add Malta – another key European jurisdiction – to our global network, bolstering our capability in delivering cutting-edge expertise to support both the ambitions of global asset managers and the growth trajectories of international businesses.”