MJ Hudson launches Milan office to strengthen EU business
MJ Hudson has opened an office in Milan as the asset management consultancy strengthens its European presence and targets further expansion.
The firm launched a fund management solutions team in Luxembourg in 2017 to act as a gateway to Europe after the UK leaves the EU in March this year.
Read more: 60 per cent of asset management firms 'preparing for hard Brexit'
It also bolstered its Swiss team by adding a second partner to the Zurich office in December 2018 as the consultancy plans to grow its European business over the coming years.
MJ Hudson senior partner Matthew Hudson said: “The decision [to open a Milan office] was not motivated by Brexit per se, although Italian clients are certainly keen to safeguard their access to the UK market, and we are even better placed to help them with this, now.
"Rather, the high quality of the team and the attractiveness of the Italian market, where MJ Hudson already has clients, made this an opportunity that was impossible to pass up.
"We did establish an office in Luxembourg immediately following the Brexit vote – and the referendum result was an important influence on that decision, of course."
The team at the Milan based legal operation, MJ Hudson Alma, is comprised of two founding partners – Alessandro Corno and Marco Zechini – and associate lawyers and support staff, with plans in place to strengthen the firms numbers rapidly.
Read more: A third of investors believe more non-UK fund managers will open London offices after Brexit
Hudson added: “As financial services enters a new era of asset management, following the financial crisis, we are keen to continue our strong growth.
“We are, therefore, on the lookout for other teams across Europe that will benefit from our international reputation, our institutional client base and our sophisticated operating infrastructure.”