HedgeOp Compliance merges with The IMS Group

We are pleased to announce that HedgeOp Compliance, LLC (HedgeOp), the leading provider of specialised compliance software and consulting services for investment advisers in the US, has merged with The IMS Group (IMS).

HedgeOp focuses exclusively on helping investment managers meet their compliance, operational and due diligence challenges. HedgeOp has developed a successful business since 2001 based on its proactive approach to servicing clients and proven reputation. HedgeOp has offices in New York, Boston and San Francisco. Clients range from start‐up managers to large firms with well‐established track records. HedgeOp’s business lines include specialised compliance consulting services, patented ComplianceTrak™ and ELF software, and due diligence research and operational due diligence reporting for fund of funds and other institutional investors.

HedgeOp will operate as ‘HedgeOp Compliance- an IMS Group company’ from its offices in New York, Boston and San Francisco. Bill Mulligan, founder and Chief Executive of HedgeOp, will continue in his role and report to IMS Group Chief Executive, Michel van Leeuwen. The entire HedgeOp management team and staff will continue in their current roles.

As a result our newly enlarged Group will have offices in London, New York, Boston and San Francisco, with more than 100 staff supporting approximately 700 investment management firms globally. Our London office will serve as the Group’s global headquarters.

Our combined Group has increased its capabilities to holistically deliver global compliance services via HedgeOp’s compliance software subsidiary, EvenWheel Solutions, the successful cloud-based regulatory solutions platform currently servicing about 150 firms and over 3,000 users on its employee filing platform.

The objective for the Group now, is to build on the talent and industry experience offered in the UK and US (as well as globally), so maintaining the reputations of IMS and HedgeOp as market leaders.

Michel van Leeuwen, Chief Executive, The IMS Group, says:

“Following the financial crisis of 2008, IMS made a strategic decision to increase its expertise in America. This is mainly due to the SEC’s decision to increase its regulatory scope outside of the US and the need for UK managers to access the US market, creating an increased requirement amongst many of our clients for a broader service provision across Europe and the US. IMS has always sought to grow its business in line with the needs of our clients and as regulatory requirements become more consistent globally, we plan to create a global regulatory services group. I greatly look forward to working with HedgeOp, which has an excellent reputation.”

 Bill Mulligan, Chief Executive, HedgeOp, says:

“The regulatory challenges facing investment firms are becoming increasingly complex and global. I believe IMS and HedgeOp share the same values and client service standards and by joining together we will have more global resources and expertise to deal with these challenges, gaining a broader skills base to offer our clients and a wider range of services.”

We look forward to being able to offer our new capabilities and service offering to our clients in the future, in the meantime if you would like to discuss this matter further please contact Peter Moore or Alan Leale-Green.