Capital markets

Howard Kennedy Corporate Services

HKCS is the leading sponsor in the VCT industry, acting on over 80% of VCT fundraisings each year. We have been active in the VCT sector since 1997 and were involved in the launch of some of the earliest VCTs.

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Howard Kennedy Corporate Services LLP ("HKCS") is an FCA regulated firm (reference number: 523524), which is authorised to provide sponsorship services to Chapter 15 Closed-Ended Investment Funds, such as investment trusts, REITs and VCTs. HKCS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Howard Kennedy LLP, making the firm the only English law firm that can offer both legal and sponsorship services to listed investment funds. By dealing with one team, our clients save on time and cost, allowing transactions to run more seamlessly. 

HKCS and its predecessor firm, have been providing sponsorship services for over 25 years. In that time the firm has advised on a wide range of listed investment fund transactions and regularly advises clients in relation to:

  • IPOs;
  • secondary fundraisings;
  • mergers;
  • related party transactions; and
  • changes to investment policies. 

At HKCS our clients (and their strategic objectives) are at the heart of everything we do. We offer clients a dedicated team of specialists that focus on the listed investment funds industry. Our broad involvement across this industry gives us an understanding of the latest market trends, allowing us to provide clients with unique insight.

Expertise:

VCTs 

HKCS is the leading sponsor in the VCT industry, acting on over 80% of VCT fundraisings each year. We have been active in the VCT sector since 1997 and were involved in the launch of some of the earliest VCTs. Over the last 25 years we have become a key adviser to the VCT industry and members of the team sit on the AIC's VCT Technical Committee and advise the Venture Capital Association. We are proud that we have advised the last three new entrants to the VCT market on their IPOs and also act for eight of the ten largest VCTs. 


Investment Trusts and REITs

HKCS has a growing investment trust and REIT practice led by Marc Proudfoot. In 2023 we acted as sponsor on the launch of Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets Investment Trust plc, the first successful investment trust launch since 2021. The team advises investment trust and REIT Boards on a wide range of transactions, as well as providing Boards with regular regulatory updates. 

Team

The team at HKCS has over 60 years combined experience of working with listed investment funds. The team is led by the following individuals.

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