What is your role at Norton Rose Fulbright?

 Since last year, I have taken on the role of Global Co-Head of Funds & Asset Management at Norton Rose Fulbright - an opportunity I embraced with a clear vision: to contribute meaningfully to the growth of our global practice in order to better serve our clients worldwide, whilst strengthening the position of our Luxembourg investment funds practice as a strategic hub within the firm and in the market. It marks an exciting chapter not only in my professional journey but also in the evolution of the firm. I am deeply proud and grateful of the trust the firm has placed in me at a time when our global funds capabilities are expanding rapidly. Just last year, we have grown significantly our funds offering in the USA and Australia, which is promising for our further expansion. Beyond the leadership responsibilities, the role enhances our Luxembourg funds practice’s access to global knowledge, data, market trends, and resources - ultimately delivering greater value to our clients.  Together with the other practices that we cover in Luxembourg (tax, corporate M&A, banking & finance and financial services & regulatory), I think our Luxembourg office has now reached the maturity needed to manage projects of all types and sizes, to face challenges, and above all, to continue to grow in a sustainable manner. We are involved in committees at ALFI and LPEA, and we publish content that is relevant to the market. It seems to me that we are in the right place at the right time. Our model, which is both local and global, meets the expectations of a fund market under pressure from a more volatile market. In short, I'm very optimistic.

How are your clients' needs changing?

There seems to be no limit to the growing complexity of regulation around the world. As market conditions evolve rapidly, companies are navigating a landscape filled with both challenges and opportunities: 

• Market consolidation is placing significant pressure on small to mid-sized asset managers, compelling them to sharpen their competitiveness and differentiate their product offerings more distinctly.

• A surge in regulatory requirements is creating uncertainty around compliant business practices. The associated costs—often disproportionate to the size of the business—add further strain, particularly for smaller players.

• Alternative investment strategies are expanding in all directions, including private capital and multi-strategy platforms, semi-liquid and retail alternative funds, and private credit vehicles.

Our clients choose us because they are looking for a partner who can offer a holistic approach that will enable them to make the right decisions. While we often use our knowledge of Luxembourg law, it only captures part of the solution, given that the activities of the companies we serve are spread all over the world. The meaning of the term ‘fund expert’ has changed a lot in recent years in the Grand Duchy. In 2010, it essentially involved back/middle office work, whereas today, to take on a ‘lead counsel’ role, we need to understand our clients' entire international strategy, the underlying needs, master M&A, and more. We must also—our main differentiator—know the law of all the markets where our clients