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March 2026 - Rawlinson & Hunter Cayman Islands ( R&H Cayman ) is pleased to announce the launch of its Digital Asset Services offering. As global finance, digital assets and blockchain continue to converge, the Cayman Islands has further strengthened its position as a leading jurisdiction for digital asset projects, blockchain businesses, tokenized funds and virtual asset service providers (VASPs). Building on more than 50 years of trusted operations in the Cayman Islands, R&H Cayman supports the next generation of finance leaders, founders, family offices and institutional clients working with digital assets and the blockchain, including those establishing new structures and managing existing structures. “As digital assets, tokenization and blockchain continue their move toward institutional adoption, we are seeing a clear shift in expectations around governance, oversight and the selection of experienced financial service providers. At Rawlinson & Hunter Cayman Islands, we bring an established institutional approach and experience that clients need to scale their businesses and meet the expectations of institutional stakeholders.” — Dion Degrand, CEO of Rawlinson & Hunter Cayman Islands Our integrated service offering provides the governance, fiduciary, and operational infrastructure required to support digital asset businesses across their lifecycle: ·         Corporate Services – formation, registered office, foundation secretary, board support ·         Corporate Governance Services – independent directors and supervisor support for foundation companies, digital asset funds, tokenized funds, VASPs ·         Trust Services – trustee, protector and enforcer roles for family offices and commercial structures ·         AML and Compliance Services – AML officers, policy development, counterparty and wallet screening, independent AML audits ·         Accounting and Fund Administration – management reporting, financial statement preparation, NAV calculation and fund administration (as applicable) ·         Restructuring Services – restructuring advisory, wind-down and liquidation support, distressed structure management Our leadership team brings hands-on experience across independent governance, token launch support, tokenization, digital-asset accounting and administration and VASP registration and operations, combining deep expertise in finance with experience supporting leading digital asset projects. If you are a project founder, institutional investor, investment manager or family office seeking an institutional-grade service provider to support your digital asset initiatives, we would welcome the conversation. We are always looking to connect with talented professionals to join our team in the Cayman Islands.  If you have experience in digital assets and blockchain and are interested in joining a leading professional services firm at a pivotal stage in the evolution of finance, please get in touch. Contacts: Dion Degrand - CEO - dion.degrand@rawlinson-hunter.com.ky Catherine Anderson-Bond - Director - catherine.anderson@rawlinson-hunter.com.ky Yvonne Plamondon - Director, Corporate Services - yplamondon@RHTrust.ky Vasil Blaze - Director, Corporate Services - vblaze@rhtrust.ky For more information, please visit:   https://www.cayman.rawlinson-hunter.com/digital-asset-services

Rawlinson & Hunter Cayman Islands is pleased to announce the addition and appointment of Catherine Anderson-Bond as Director. Catherine will have operational responsibility for the Client Accounting and Private Fund Services business lines and, together with Chris Bodden, Director of R&H Private Fund Services, will lead the growth of these areas. Catherine will also work closely with the CEO on firm-wide strategic initiatives, including the continued development and expansion of the firm’s service offerings in the Cayman Islands.   Catherine brings over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, having held senior roles in restructuring and fiduciary services. Her depth of experience spans restructuring and insolvency, structured finance, digital assets, assurance and fiduciary services. Catherine began her career working with a Big Four firm leading and supervising complex audits of hedge funds, operating companies and charities. She then spent more than six years with Rawlinson & Hunter in progressively more senior roles in both the funds and restructuring business groups, supporting independent directors and business heads in delivering fiduciary services to fund, private equity and restructuring clients. Most recently, prior to re-joining Rawlinson & Hunter, Catherine spent seven years in a senior role with a global advisory firm.   “We are delighted to welcome Catherine back to the R&H team,” said Alan Milgate, Senior Partner at Rawlinson & Hunter. “She spent several years with the firm earlier in her career, during which time she developed her professional qualifications and gained valuable experience across our firm. We are thrilled to have her return at this stage of her career, bringing with her a breadth of experience that will greatly benefit the firm during this period of growth and development.”   Catherine is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) and a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA). She is a member of the Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants (CIIPA), INSOL International, the Cayman Islands chapter of INSOL, and the American Bankruptcy Institute.   This appointment follows the December 2025 appointment of Dion Degrand as CEO, responsible for overall strategy, growth, and operational oversight for the R&H Group in the Cayman Islands.

Rawlinson & Hunter Cayman Islands (R&H) is pleased to announce that Dion Degrand has joined the firm as their Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for leadership, strategy, growth, and operational oversight across the R&H group of companies in the Cayman Islands.    Early in his career Dion worked with R&H and has since had a successful career in investment banking in Canada before returning to the Cayman Islands in 2023. He has more than 25 years of finance experience, holding senior executive positions in investment banking, international banking, and independent governance firms.  Dion brings industry leading expertise in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, public and private capital markets, valuation, blockchain, and digital assets to his role.   “My fellow partners and I are delighted to have found such an experienced and driven leader for this important role. Our business has grown in size and complexity over the past two decades, with new regulatory requirements, service lines and a shifting human capital landscape. Dion is familiar with our firm, our processes, our values and our goals, and will help us to proactively consider and plan for the future, working to the benefit of all and leaving us in the best possible place for the next generation," says Alan Milgate, Senior Partner of Rawlinson & Hunter Cayman Islands.   Dion has held senior positions at leading investment banks, including Head of Canadian Energy Investment Banking for a global investment bank and Head of Western Canada, Head of Energy, and board member of one of Canada’s largest independently owned investment dealers. He has advised boards and management teams on domestic and cross border M&A as well as public and private capital financings, supporting businesses from entrepreneurial startups to multi-billion-dollar exits. Most recently, he served as Chief Business Officer of a CIMA-licenced independent governance firm in the Cayman Islands, where he led firm-wide strategy and business development, and launched the firm’s digital asset support business. He also served on the boards of a Top 50 global digital asset project and its real-world asset tokenisation platform.   Dion is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Accountant (CA), and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.  He is also a Registered Professional Director with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) .

Vasil joins with more than 10 years of experience in legal entity management, corporate compliance, and subsidiary governance. He has advised multinational corporations, investment funds, and cross-border structures during his time with a Big Four accounting firm in the UK, and most recently held a senior leadership role overseeing global subsidiary governance models and Managed Services engagements for FTSE 100 and S&P 500 clients. In his new role, Vasil, alongside Yvonne Plamondon, will lead the delivery of R&H’s comprehensive suite of corporate services, including incorporations, registered office facilities, and regulatory compliance support.  In addition to his leadership role, Vasil will work closely with clients to develop effective governance structures and manage complex entity frameworks. His appointment strengthens our ability to provide practical, high-quality corporate solutions tailored to the needs of our diverse client base.   Senior Partner Alan Milgate said: “Vasil brings a wealth of experience in entity management and a strong grasp of corporate structures, making him a valuable addition to the team. With Vasil and Yvonne as co-heads of the corporate team, we’re well positioned to expand our corporate services platform in response to our clients’ evolving needs. My fellow partners and I are delighted to welcome him during this exciting phase of growth.” R&H Trust & Corporate operates as The R & H Trust Co. Ltd., and is a licensed trust service provider wholly owned and operated by the Cayman Islands office of Rawlinson & Hunter.

Estate and wealth planning is not a one-size-fits-all undertaking. While trusts have historically been the go-to solution, evolving family dynamics, tax considerations, and jurisdictional complexities have paved the way for complementary vehicles such as private funds. While this article focuses on private funds, we also provide a high-level overview of trust structures, with further detail available in our companion article at this link . What is a Private Fund? A private fund is a pooled investment vehicle that allows a group of investors, such as families, individuals, or institutions, to collectively manage and grow their capital. By consolidating asset ownership into a single vehicle, a private fund streamlines reporting, reduces administrative burden, and introduces investment discipline. This centralised approach enables the fund to reflect the investors’ long-term financial goals, risk appetite, and governance preferences. Private funds are typically structured to: Pool investor capital into a shared investment vehicle to pursue a defined and strategic investment portfolio Delegate investment authority to fund operators (e.g., directors, the general partner, trustee or third party investment manager) with fiduciary responsibilities to act in the best interests of the fund Provide investors with participation rights, typically through interests or units that entitle them to benefit from the overall financial performance of the fund These structures are most often organised as limited partnerships, exempted companies or segregated portfolio companies (SPCs), offering flexibility in design and operation. They can cater to a broad range of investment strategies, including but not limited to private equity, hedge, real estate, and other public market investment strategies. They can also hold a broad range of private assets. Private funds are particularly well-suited for families with: Members residing in multiple jurisdictions, each with distinct tax and regulatory considerations A desire for centralised, professional investment management Complex ownership and succession planning needs For families who may be uncomfortable with relinquishing control through a traditional trust structure, private funds offer a more familiar corporate structure. They allow for consolidated reporting, consistent asset oversight, and coordinated investment decision making, all while preserving individual and family autonomy. How Trusts and Private Funds Work Together Private funds can be used in combination with trust, company and foundation structures to create sophisticated, flexible, and tax-efficient wealth planning strategies. This hybrid approach brings together the protective and succession advantages. Some of the ways these structures work together include: Single Trust with Multiple Share Classes: A single trust may hold different share classes in a private fund, with each class linked to a specific beneficiary class or generation. This structure allows tailored distributions and investment strategies aligned with the needs and objectives of each beneficiary group. Multi-Trust Ownership Model:  Separate trusts may each own a distinct class of shares in the same fund. This approach is ideal for families with multiple branches or cross-border residency, allowing for separate governance, distribution provisions, and tax treatment within one investment structure. A Private Trust Company (PTC) can serve as trustee to these trusts, ensuring centralised oversight and consistent decision-making. Mixed Ownership: Ownership of the fund can be shared between trusts and individual family members, catering to differing legal requirements or preferences regarding asset control. This structure allows for the flexibility to transition assets into trust over time or maintain a portion under direct personal ownership. This integrated model is especially useful in managing multi-generational wealth. It offers: Enhanced asset protection and risk segregation Simplified and consolidated investment reporting Alignment of investment policy with family governance frameworks Improved tax efficiency through careful structuring Greater flexibility for succession planning and liquidity events Dynamic reporting Private Fund Setup: What to Expect  Establishing a private fund in the Cayman Islands involves compliance with key regulatory steps. R&H Private Fund Services (Cayman) Ltd (“RHPFS”) can guide you through this process - either directly or in collaboration with your existing legal counsel. Once established, private funds are subject to ongoing obligations, such as audited financial statements, annual filings, and maintaining appropriate valuation and asset safekeeping procedures. These regulatory requirements ensure transparency while preserving the fund’s utility as a private family vehicle.   Fund Administration Services Offered by RHPFS RHPFS, is part of a privately owned, multi-disciplinary financial services firm with a highly personalised level of client care and an uncompromising approach to technical excellence. The core components of our fund administration include: ·        Fund accounting: o   Qualified Cayman based team o   Calculating the period net asset value of the fund o   full suite accountancy services and flexible reporting o   bank account management o   automated market data feed o   calculating and paying all fees and expenses o   financial statement preparation   ·        Registrar & Transfer Agency Services o   maintaining the investor registers o   process all capital activity and reporting and AML, CTF and CPF monitoring support throughout the audit   ·        Corporate Services o   full incorporation services o   full suite of registered office services o   AMLCO and MLRO appointments RHPFS works seamlessly with clients to ensure efficient operation and reporting of their fund structures. Private funds are an increasingly attractive solution for families seeking consolidated investment solutions with flexibility, efficiency, and global reach. Whether used in conjunction with or in place of traditional trusts, they offer a powerful framework for managing generational wealth. For a deeper dive into the utilization of trust structures, see our companion article on Cayman Islands trusts here , prepared by our affiliates at R&H Trust & Corporate. Both RHPFS and R&H Trust & Corporate are owned and operated by Rawlinson & Hunter LLP Cayman Islands.

As part of its ongoing growth, Rawlinson & Hunter LLP, Cayman Islands is delighted to welcome Yvonne Plamondon to its Trust & Corporate Services team. Yvonne will be leading the firm’s corporate services group within R&H Trust & Corporate (operating as The R&H Trust Co. Ltd.), a licensed trust company owned and operated by the Cayman Islands office of Rawlinson & Hunter.   With over 18 years of experience, Yvonne brings a deep and varied background in fiduciary and financial advisory services, with a strong focus on complex and distressed structures. Her career includes over 12 years with the Financial Advisory team of a Big 4 accounting firm in the UK and Cayman Islands, where she advised multinational corporations, investment funds, and cross-border structures on strategic restructuring and operational challenges. Prior to joining Rawlinson & Hunter, she held a senior leadership role at the Cayman Islands office of a prominent multinational consultancy firm, acting as a fiduciary for a broad portfolio of Cayman entities, often in distressed scenarios. As part of her new role, Yvonne will contribute to monitoring and interpreting changes in Cayman Islands legislation and regulatory developments, helping ensure our clients are consistently well-informed and supported in an evolving landscape.   A qualified Chartered Accountant and licensed insolvency practitioner, Yvonne brings to the team her analytical approach and ability to deliver pragmatic solutions in complex environments. She has served on the board of the Cayman Islands chapter of the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) and regularly shares her insights as a speaker on webinars and industry panels. She is also an active member of 100 Women in Finance.   Alan Milgate, Senior Partner, commented on the appointment: “My fellow partners and I are delighted to welcome Yvonne to the team. Her diverse skillset, deep understanding of corporate structures, and significant fiduciary experience make her a valuable addition as we continue to expand our corporate services platform to meet the evolving needs of our clients.”

June 2025 – Rawlinson & Hunter LLP in the Cayman Islands is pleased to announce the promotion of Owen Walker to Partner, R&H Restructuring, a specialist insolvency and restructuring practice owned and operated by the firm.   Owen joined the firm in 2017 and has nearly two decades of experience in corporate restructuring and insolvency. He has a strong focus on offshore cross-border matters and is an appointment taking Insolvency Practitioner in both the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands.   A Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Owen is also an INSOL Fellow and an active member of RISA (INSOL’s Cayman chapter).   Commenting on the appointment, Alan Milgate, Senior Partner of Rawlinson & Hunter LLP Cayman Islands, said: "Owen’s promotion to Partner is well-deserved recognition of his dedication, team leadership, and the value he has brought to our restructuring practice. His expertise has been instrumental in expanding key service lines and fostering collaboration across our organisation. We congratulate Owen and look forward to his continued impact on the growth and success of R&H Restructuring and our firm."   R&H Restructuring is a multidisciplinary team of restructuring professionals operating under the Rawlinson & Hunter LLP Cayman Islands umbrella, providing specialised solutions in complex and distressed scenarios across global markets. R&H Restructuring is an independent member of HLB global advisory and accounting network.

March 2025 - Rawlinson & Hunter LLP, Cayman Islands is delighted to announce the expansion of its Trust services team with the appointment of James Long as Director, Trust Services with R&H Trust & Corporate (operating as The R & H Trust Co. Ltd.). The company is a licensed trust provider, owned and operated by Rawlinson & Hunter LLP. James joins the firm with a strong resume, bringing over 10 years of experience in the creation and management of international trust structures, private trust companies, and purpose trusts. Throughout his career, James has worked extensively with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients, advising on complex trust structures and wealth management strategies. His experience spans multiple jurisdictions, including Switzerland and the Cayman Islands, providing him with deep insights into the global landscape of trust services. In addition to his practical expertise, he holds the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation and is an active member of the Cayman Islands branch of STEP, where he serves as Chair of both the Education and NextGen sub-committees. His contributions to STEP demonstrate his dedication to advancing professional standards and nurturing the next generation of trust professionals. Senior Partner Alan Milgate, welcoming James to the firm noted, "James’ extensive international private client experience will be a tremendous asset to our trust team. His arrival further strengthens our leadership team and ability to deliver top-tier service to our clients, reinforcing our commitment to providing the best possible expertise and guidance in a rapidly evolving global trust landscape. My fellow partners and I are confident that his expertise will benefit both our current and future clients as we continue to enhance our reputation as a leading provider of trust services."

Congratulations to members of the Rawlinson & Hunter team who were recently promoted across business and support teams for outstanding service, performance and technical ability within their respective fields. They are: - Valerie Akow - Senior Manager with our Accounting Services Team - Jonathan Walmsley - Senior Accountant with our Accounting Services Team - Gerardo Rodriguez-Pomare - Senior Software Developer with our IT Team - Abigail Stoddart – Assistant Manager with our Internal Finance Team Alan Milgate, Senior Partner of Rawlinson & Hunter Cayman Islands, commented, “We are proud to recognise and reward the professional development of these individuals as well as their important and increasing contributions towards the success of their teams and the firm, which further enhances the services we are able to provide our clients as part of our best-in-class offerings.” There are other group promotions that will be announced across our affiliates.

As we continue the yearlong celebration of our 50th anniversary in the Cayman Islands, we recognise and extend a special thanks to another group of our long-service employees. Their dedication and work at Rawlinson & Hunter LLP Cayman Islands is appreciated and celebrated. For being with the firm we say a special thanks to – Kayla Shibli – Senior Manager, Human Resources (15 years), Cassandra Powell - Managing Director of The Harbour Trust Co. Ltd. & Director of HTC Fiduciary Services Limited (16 years), Philip Dickie - Managing Director of The Harbour Trust Co. Ltd. & Director of HTC Fiduciary Services Limited (16 years) and Frances Ebanks - Senior Administrator The Harbour Trust Co. Ltd. (18 years).

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in the Cayman Islands, we continue to recognise and extend a special thank you to our long-service employees. Their dedication and work at Rawlinson & Hunter LLP Cayman Islands is appreciated and celebrated. For being with the firm we say a special thanks to - Leanne Golding - Director of HTC Fiduciary Services Limited and Officer of The Harbour Trust Co. Ltd. (14 years ), Sophia Campbell - Senior Administrator of The Harbour Trust Co. Ltd. (13 years), Darcia Tatum – Administrator of The R&H Trust Co. Ltd. (13 years) and Lucy Comacchio - Director, Trust Services of The R&H Trust Co. Ltd. (12 years).

As part of our 50th anniversary celebration we are taking the opportunity to say “thank you” to the dynamic and innovative employees who have provided professionalism, commitment to excellence and diligence throughout the years. For being with the firm for 10 years we say a special thanks to Philippa Stokes (Partner of Rawlinson & Hunter and R&H Trust & Corporate), Vivian Morahan (Associate Director, R&H Trust & Corporate), Tom Elliot (Associate Director, Information Technology Applications). Kevin Huys (Senior Vice President of R&H Services Ltd.) and Daniel McGrath (Senior Manager, R&H Restructuring).