Founded in 2003 by former PwC partners as a funds service provider, Alter Domus today counts 2,000 staff members across 18 countries although just 700 will be working in the new Luxembourg offices.  

Guests and press were invited to the inauguration of the 10,000 square metre building which boasts meeting rooms, kitchenettes and offices over 11 floors. Care was given to the comfort of staff, with adjustable height workstations and relaxation areas. There are also four terraced areas overlooking the neighbourhood.

Photo shows the outside of the new Alter Domus office in Cloche d'Or. Photo: Matic Zorman

In Thursday’s speeches, supervisory board chairman Dominique Robyns reflected on the firm’s progress, mentioning the acquisition of Cortland Capital Market Services and Carta Fund Services in the US. He said a third acquisition in this market was not underway.

“We think there’s enormous growth potential there,” he told our sister publication, Paperjam, on Thursday. He said the goal was to spread the risk by expanding to relevant countries. While the US, where Alter Domus has 500 staff, remains the priority, Robyns said that Asia was next on the list. “We will continue to advance in Asia but firstly in the US because the market is so big we cannot ignore it,” he said.

Another subject covered in the speeches was the retention of talent, in a country which suffers a shortage of skilled staff. One strategy of the firm has been to make 450 of their staff members stakeholders, to varying degrees.