“This is an incredibly exciting transaction for us; it adds a strong new string to our regional bow and we see excellent collaboration potential between our teams that will benefit our business and our clients,” said Diana Senanayake, regional CEO for Continental Europe at IQ-EQ, in a press statement on Tuesday 4 February 2025. Library photo: Guy Wolff (2024)

“This is an incredibly exciting transaction for us; it adds a strong new string to our regional bow and we see excellent collaboration potential between our teams that will benefit our business and our clients,” said Diana Senanayake, regional CEO for Continental Europe at IQ-EQ, in a press statement on Tuesday 4 February 2025. Library photo: Guy Wolff (2024)

IQ-EQ has acquired Agama Group, marking its entry into the regulatory compliance market in continental Europe and expanding its offerings in France and Luxembourg.

The fund and corporate services provider IQ-EQ has acquired Agama Group, an independent regulatory compliance firm operating in France and Luxembourg. This transaction, on Tuesday 4 February 2025, marks IQ-EQ’s entry into regulatory compliance services in continental Europe, complementing its existing presence in the UK, the US and Asia.

Founded in 2013, Agama Group specialised in regulatory compliance, internal control and operational support for asset managers and funds, covering private equity, real estate and other asset classes. The firm comprised four business units with over 50 professionals based in Paris and Luxembourg. These units included Agama Conseil, which provided internal control support in France; Agama Services, assisting with asset manager authorisations in France; Agama Advisors, offering compliance and directorship services for Luxembourg funds; and Belt Solutions, a regtech Saas solution for compliance officers in France. 

IQ-EQ stated that the acquisition would expand its service portfolio for fund and asset managers in France, alongside its fund administration, outsourced CFO, valuation, risk management and third-party alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) services. In Luxembourg, Agama’s AML/CFT compliance officer and directorship services would complement IQ-EQ’s existing operations. 

Mark Pesco, group chief executive officer of IQ-EQ, indicated in the announcement that the acquisition reflected the opportunities in continental Europe and further established the firm’s position as a provider of regulatory compliance services globally. He noted Agama’s standing as a market leader in France and its growing business in Luxembourg, which aligns with IQ-EQ’s existing operations. 

, regional CEO for Continental Europe at IQ-EQ, acknowledged the strategic value of the transaction, particularly in terms of potential collaboration between IQ-EQ and Agama’s teams. She also pointed to the development potential of Agama’s Belt, a regtech solution for asset managers in France. 

Following the acquisition, Philippe Levrel and Louis-Grégoire Logre will continue to lead Agama as managing directors, joining IQ-EQ France’s senior leadership team under Bertrand D’Anselme, CEO of IQ-EQ France. In Luxembourg, Jean-Bernard Quillon will remain managing director of Agama Advisors, reporting to IQ-EQ’s senior leadership in the region. 

Agama would initially operate under the name ‘Agama IQ-EQ’ before transitioning to the IQ-EQ brand. IQ-EQ reported a workforce of over 5,800 employees across 25 jurisdictions, with assets under administration exceeding $750bn.

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