Merlys is a funds industry regulatory consultancy geared specifically to the needs of smaller companies in the sector.

We specialise in:
Governance
Regulation
ESG
Inclusion Diversity & Culture (ID&C)

Our Mission

Merlys is a funds industry regulatory consultancy geared specifically to the needs of smaller companies in the sector.

We specialise in:
Governance
Regulation
ESG
Inclusion Diversity & Culture (ID&C)

Our Mission

GET NOW: Click below to download 2 useful articles

5 steps to (successfully) engaging a Consultant… A Consultant who delivers what you need rather than telling you what you already know.

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How to keep on top of funds-sector Regulatory Change – especially when you don’t have the manpower.

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GET NOW: Click below to download 2 useful articles

5 steps to (successfully) engaging a Consultant… A Consultant who delivers what you need rather than telling you what you already know.

Access Now

How to keep on top of funds-sector Regulatory Change – especially when you don’t have the manpower.

Access Now

Our mission is to assist smaller firms in the funds and asset management sectors to implement regulatory, business and cultural change efficiently and effectively.

We bring extensive, in-depth commercial experience gained from decades of working in private practice and in-house, both on the legal and business sides of banks and asset managers.

What We Do

Our mission is to assist smaller firms in the funds and asset management sectors to implement regulatory, business and cultural change efficiently and effectively.

We bring extensive, in-depth commercial experience gained from decades of working in private practice and in-house, both on the legal and business sides of banks and asset managers.

What We Do

Phone

+44 (0) 20 7821 0191

Email

charles@merlys.uk

Social

News and Views

Changes in EU Cross-border Distribution of Funds

Changes in EU Cross-border Distribution of Funds July 2021 Overview On 2 August 2021, most of the provisions of the EU Cross-Border Distribution of Funds (CBDF) legislation come into effect. CBDF is looks to harmonise and reduce barriers to the cross-border...

Read Insight

ESG Series-Quick Read | Is the ESG carriage being pulled by two horses travelling at different speeds?

There has been a lot to get to grips with on the ESG disclosure front and sometimes it is difficult to see how the Taxonomy Regulation (TR), Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and the various regulatory technical standards (RTS) fit together. This Quick Read version aims to show you what to do and links to our longer read briefing document for a deeper dive.

Read Insight

Is the ESG carriage being pulled by horses running at different speeds?

This overview is aimed at in-scope non-EU alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs) that market alternative investment Funds (AIFs) via national private placement regimes under Article 42 of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive which will include what the FCA calls “UK UCITS”. It explains SFDR and the Taxonomy Regulation; looks into what is happening now and what to do next.

Read Insight

Brexit Series – MoU

In this article we discuss what we anticipate will be in the text of the financial services industry Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concluded at the end of March but which has yet to be published. We look at: “What does MoU mean to you”?

Read Insight

MiFID II

For Product Managers, Lawyers and Compliance Teams | What you need to know to get your MiFID II product governance controls in order including 6 key requirements

Read Insight

FinTech | Have you read the Kalifa report?

Have you Read the Kalifa Report? Today FinTech is at the heart of much of what we do. There is no one single piece of FinTech regulation but a tapestry that does require careful navigation. Read our briefing document.

Read Insight

SFDR is here. What now?

SFDR into play from 10th March 2021. Many UK firms think it’s not for them. We identify where it may well be applicable and show reasons why.

Read Insight

Are you sure SFDR doesn’t apply to your organisation?

Are you sure SFDR doesn't apply to you? Update note: Since this article was published in February, we published another on 10th March - the day SFDR came into play - you may wish to read it here: SFDR is here - Now What? By contrast, this article said the...

Read Insight

Post-Brexit approach to regulating UK financial services at Q1 2021

[The Post-Brexit approach to regulating financial services in the UK as at Q1 2021 Following on from our "Key Implications” briefing note on the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (24 December 2020)[5] (the Agreement) this briefing note takes a more...

Read Insight

Key Implications 2020 UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

The Key implications of the EU/UK Trade Agreement for Asset Management and Fund Management sectors

Read Insight

Read All News and Views

News and Views

Changes in EU Cross-border Distribution of Funds

Changes in EU Cross-border Distribution of Funds July 2021 Overview On 2 August 2021, most of the provisions of the EU Cross-Border Distribution of Funds (CBDF) legislation come into effect. CBDF is looks to harmonise and reduce barriers to the cross-border...

Read Insight

ESG Series-Quick Read | Is the ESG carriage being pulled by two horses travelling at different speeds?

There has been a lot to get to grips with on the ESG disclosure front and sometimes it is difficult to see how the Taxonomy Regulation (TR), Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and the various regulatory technical standards (RTS) fit together. This Quick Read version aims to show you what to do and links to our longer read briefing document for a deeper dive.

Read Insight

Is the ESG carriage being pulled by horses running at different speeds?

This overview is aimed at in-scope non-EU alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs) that market alternative investment Funds (AIFs) via national private placement regimes under Article 42 of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive which will include what the FCA calls “UK UCITS”. It explains SFDR and the Taxonomy Regulation; looks into what is happening now and what to do next.

Read Insight

Brexit Series – MoU

In this article we discuss what we anticipate will be in the text of the financial services industry Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concluded at the end of March but which has yet to be published. We look at: “What does MoU mean to you”?

Read Insight

MiFID II

For Product Managers, Lawyers and Compliance Teams | What you need to know to get your MiFID II product governance controls in order including 6 key requirements

Read Insight

FinTech | Have you read the Kalifa report?

Have you Read the Kalifa Report? Today FinTech is at the heart of much of what we do. There is no one single piece of FinTech regulation but a tapestry that does require careful navigation. Read our briefing document.

Read Insight

SFDR is here. What now?

SFDR into play from 10th March 2021. Many UK firms think it’s not for them. We identify where it may well be applicable and show reasons why.

Read Insight

Are you sure SFDR doesn’t apply to your organisation?

Are you sure SFDR doesn't apply to you? Update note: Since this article was published in February, we published another on 10th March - the day SFDR came into play - you may wish to read it here: SFDR is here - Now What? By contrast, this article said the...

Read Insight

Post-Brexit approach to regulating UK financial services at Q1 2021

[The Post-Brexit approach to regulating financial services in the UK as at Q1 2021 Following on from our "Key Implications” briefing note on the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (24 December 2020)[5] (the Agreement) this briefing note takes a more...

Read Insight

Key Implications 2020 UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

The Key implications of the EU/UK Trade Agreement for Asset Management and Fund Management sectors

Read Insight

Read All News and Views

What Our Clients Say

“Verena understands the law but what sets her apart is her in-depth understanding of the business and products.”

– General Counsel and Company Secretary, UK asset manager

“Verena has a no-nonsense approach and always looks for the practical solution to problems.”

– CEO, EMEA, asset management group

“It is refreshing to work with someone who sees things from the business point of view as well as having just the legal issues in mind.”

– Head of Regulated Products, US bank and custodian

“Verena is insightful, has great poise, is always pleasant and implemented our regulatory change programme with great efficiency.”

– Director of Compliance and Legal Services, EMEA, global custody bank

“We always appreciate Verena’s advice on how to position our negotiations with Regulators. She has great industry knowledge.”

– Head of Product Development, global fund provider

“We were delighted, as part of our programme to enhance the visibility and leverage the functionality of our in-house legal team, to see an increase in the volume of legal work now directed to the team.

The increase was not just because people became aware that Verena was there to assist but more because they greatly valued the quality of the legal advice Verena gave to them.

Her contribution to all aspects of the work of our in-house team was exceptional; she helped to inspire the team to take on new challenges and this resulted in business colleagues seeking out internal advice rather than directly calling external lawyers.”

– General Counsel, EEA private bank

What Our Clients Say

“Verena understands the law but what sets her apart is her in-depth understanding of the business and products.”

– General Counsel and Company Secretary, UK asset manager

“Verena has a no-nonsense approach and always looks for the practical solution to problems.”

– CEO, EMEA, asset management group

“It is refreshing to work with someone who sees things from the business point of view as well as having just the legal issues in mind.”

– Head of Regulated Products, US bank and custodian

“Verena is insightful, has great poise, is always pleasant and implemented our regulatory change programme with great efficiency.”

– Director of Compliance and Legal Services, EMEA, global custody bank

“We always appreciate Verena’s advice on how to position our negotiations with Regulators. She has great industry knowledge.”

– Head of Product Development, global fund provider

“We were delighted, as part of our programme to enhance the visibility and leverage the functionality of our in-house legal team, to see an increase in the volume of legal work now directed to the team.

The increase was not just because people became aware that Verena was there to assist but more because they greatly valued the quality of the legal advice Verena gave to them.

Her contribution to all aspects of the work of our in-house team was exceptional; she helped to inspire the team to take on new challenges and this resulted in business colleagues seeking out internal advice rather than directly calling external lawyers.”

– General Counsel, EEA private bank

Phone

+44 (0)20 7821 0191

Email

charles@merlys.uk