Funds services firm opens Belfast office, servicing UK-based funds, particularly in private equity and property.
 

Feb 21st 2011: A leading financial services company is to create 46 high-quality jobs in Belfast with the establishment of an investments fund operation.

Heritage Administration Services Limited (HIFM) is to establish a Belfast office creating 46 jobs. HIFM provides full fund administration services to the private equity, property and other investment funds. It will set up in the city with GBP 690,000 support from Invest NI, plus GBP 102,000 from the Department for Employment and Learning.

Part of their plan involves developing the Belfast office to service UK-based funds, particularly in private equity and property. The new job opportunities are being targeted at skilled university graduates.

"The strong skills base is one of the reasons that global companies are attracted to Northern Ireland," said DEL minister Danny Kennedy. "Investment in skills is essential if employers are to maximise the talents of their people. We can now offer investors the necessary support which will help to build the skills base and ensure that they view Northern Ireland as the best location from which to grow their business."

Northern Ireland's Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "Its decision to locate here was strongly influenced by the availability of well qualified and skilled accountants and other professional staff and the competitive cost environment. "The financial services sector, with its potential to create high value jobs with competitive salaries, is a key target sector for Invest NI. This investment is the latest in a series of high quality investments secured by the agency in recent months and marks the continuing growth of this important sector here."

HIFM was established in 2006 and now employs around 40 staff. It is part of the Heritage Group, a leading independent provider of specialist financial services and insurance. "Our strategy for growth depends on recruiting well educated, high calibre staff at all levels and ensuring that we develop our people to service the dynamic but challenging investment sectors in which we operate," said Managing Director Mark Huntley.

"Belfast can deliver on both of these requirements. We view this exciting initiative as the beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership which will further strengthen the links with the Heritage Group."