William Yonge

William frequently helps clients to navigate UK and European regulatory issues that arise during fund formations, mergers and acquisitions, establishment of regulated investment management firms in the United Kingdom, and advises on customer and service provider documentation. He also counsels managers from the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Asia on structuring their private placements of funds to UK and European investors and establishing themselves in the United Kingdom.

William advises clients on regulatory developments arising in the context of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) and counsels firms on restructuring in light of Brexit-related regulatory change.

William's work includes advising on operational, regulatory, and compliance matters regarding the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the UK Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) such as the perimeter of regulated activities, obtaining authorisation, conduct of business, changes of control, financial promotion, remuneration requirements, product development, anti-money laundering, trading issues, payment for research, market abuse, cross-border business, and EU passporting.

William provides clients with insight into the impact of current and proposed financial services legislation at European level, including the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), Markets in Financial Instruments Directives (MiFID II), European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR), the Investment Firms Prudential Review, and UK/EU Initiatives in ESG and Sustainability.

Addressing topical regulatory issues, William frequently writes articles for key publications including Complinet, Hedge Fund Journal, FX-MM, Funds Europe, Global Risk Regulator, Global Funds Europe, EuroWatch, Lexology, Alternative Intelligence Quotient, and Private Debt Investor. He also speaks regularly at hedge fund and private equity conferences and events.