A new website has been launched as a means of exploring the key themes of the funds industry, by people within it.
FundsTV.net was created by Rana Hein-Hartmann, Managing Director of funds specialist recruitment agency Funds Partnership, as a means of bridging the gap in understanding, education and innovation between the sector - here in Luxembourg - and the outside world.
Ms. Hein-Hartmann explained how she was motivated to bring the concept of the site to fruition after reading negatively-presented views on private equity and the asset management industry, commenting: "I realised that there was a great disparity between the way the world sees asset management and the work we actually do. In addition to Asset Management providing for people's pensions, there are many fantastic by-products of the industry, the active investment in our SMEs, the real estate in our capital cities owned by funds, private equity turn arounds, not to mention being a very large global employer. At a time where a pensions crisis looms in every nation, the need for education and inspiration on the sector has only increased."
FundsTV has aimed to take an open and direct approach to the subject, with direct contributions from senior members of the funds business. Find out more at www.fundstv.net
The funds industry is one of the major employers in Luxembourg with around 40,000 people working. Outside of the US, "little" Luxembourg is the global powerhouse home to over €3 trillion assets under administration.
In talking with The Luxembourg Chronicle, Rana Hein-Hartmann explained "I wanted to launch the FundsTV site because it is very unknown and misunderstood. Luxembourg is very good at providing a safe and secure structure for a very large number of global pension funds. Unfortunately many people don't understand why Luxembourg is such a dominant player, and they mistakenly think it is due to tax. It is actually because of the way that the government has quickly and flexibly adapted to major changes in laws, and because they 'police' the structures here so well, that is the reason that makes it such a good domicile for funds. It is because they make it safe."
She added "We launched FundsTV to break down some of the great misunderstandings about the funds business and to try to turn the fear back into trust again. I wanted to make the site live before asking key Luxembourg players like ALFI and even possibly the CSSF to be present. In addition to myself, 4 of my current 6 speakers are located here in Luxembourg, as are all the writers apart from one."
FundsTV is first and formost an educational site aimed at breaking down barriers between this industry and others.
Photo by FundsTV (Rana Hein-Hartmann)
