Click here or press enter for the accessibility optimised version ISLE OF MAN SPECIAL: navigating the conduct of business code Click here or press enter for the accessibility optimised version CONTENTS: News • Analysis • Video • Features Contents INTRODUCTION NEWS: GLOBAL AN ISLAND’S FINANCE ISLE OF Bringing the Isle of Man’s UPDATE MANIFESTO MAN impressive history up-to-date Round-up of the latest news from An overview of the Isle of Man The Isle of Man Government’s around the world, with a special today, its regulatory environment Simon Pickering explains the focus on the Isle of Man and international partners factors underpinning the island’s ongoing success Contents Contacts Publisher/Editor: Christopher Copper-Ind Tel +44 (0) 20 3727 9937 Head of Video & Ezines: Gary Robinson Tel +44 (0) 20 3727 9938 Editorial Director: Jonathan Boyd Tel +44 (0) 20 3727 9922 Correspondent: Pedro Gonçalves Tel: +44 (0) 20 3727 9937 Head of sales: Eliot Morton Tel +44 (0) 20 3727 9945 Head of marketing: Vanessa Forde Tel +44 (0) 20 3727 9924 CRACKING THE IN THE HOT SEAT PROFESSIONAL Office manager & accounts: Maria Margariti CONDUCT OF VIDEO: Zurich International CEO SERVICES Tel +44 (0) 20 3727 9925 Peter Huber is the latest addition to Managing Director: Louise Hanna BUSINESS CODE our exclusive Big Interview series Some of the biggest players in Tel +44 (0) 20 3727 9939 offshore financial services Chairman: Nicholas Rapley The island’s biggest names give Tel +44 (0) 20 3727 9939 their views in words and video Imagery: iStockPhoto.com, Shutterstock.com Click here or press enter for the accessibility optimised version INTRODUCTION Bringing the Isle of Man’s impressive history up-to-date An unrivalled democratic history Welcome to International Investment’s 23rd special report. In this issue we focus on the Isle of Man, its key players, reforms, challenges and strengths. The island lays claim to an almost unrivalled democratic history, as Pedro Gonçalves explains in his overview feature. In this edition we bring that impressive history bang up to date, with a host of exclusive video interviews and articles featuring some the Isle of Man's biggest names. In places the report almost reads like a “Who's Who” of the island’s financial community including: RL360's CEO David Kneeshaw, Canada Life International's managing director Sean Christian, Hansard International's CEO Gordon Marr, Utmost's CEO Mike Foy, the outgoing Manx Insurance Association head Gill Marples and her forthcoming replacement Peter Kenny (CEO of Old Mutual International). This digital edition also features an exclusive video interview with Zurich IN THIS ISSUE WE FOCUS ON THE ISLE OF MAN, ITS KEY International's chief executive Peter Huber as part of our popular Big PLAYERS, REFORMS, CHALLENGES AND STRENGTHS Interview series. – Christopher Copper-Ind, Publisher, International Investment And our team takes an in-depth look at the long-awaited Conduct of Business Code ahead of its roll-out on 1 January 2019, a feature with Simon Pickering, head of insurance and pensions at the Isle of Man Government and a selection of the latest news across both our UK and international editions. Click here or press enter for the accessibility optimised version INTERNATIONAL NEWS Round-up of the latest news around the globe, with a special focus on the Isle of Man ISLE OF MAN Isle of Man has less than a year to improve money laundering standards The Council of Europe’s Moneyval watchdog has “largely compliant” with respect to its Kelly Mercer, of the Isle of Man Financial Services given the Manx government until July 2019 to recommendations on transparency of legal Authority (IOMFSA). improve its money laundering legislation as it persons and on sanctions. notices progress has been made towards the “A short consultation period is required to enable watchdog’s requirements. “The amendments set out in the draft Anti-Money the proposals, subject to any material issues raised Laundering and Countering the Financing of through the consultation process, to be brought Moneyval, which assess compliance with Terrorism Code 2018 are considered by the [Manx into effect as soon as is practicable,” she added. European rules on anti-money laundering and the Department of Home Affairs] to be strategically financing of terrorism, has upgraded the Isle of important to the Island’s proposition as a The tight deadline explains why the Isle of Man Man on eight of 40 recommendations it made in a responsible international finance centre,” said Financial Services Commission’s consultation on 2016 report. its proposed reforms was only for one week. Moneyval upgraded the Isle of Man to “compliant” “A SHORT CONSULTATION PERIOD IS The proposal’s main additions to the IOMFSA code from the recommendations it had made in the REQUIRED TO ENABLE THE PROPOSALS are: requirements to conduct sanctions screening; 2016 report in eight different fields, including a need to consider whether the regulated person criminalisation of the financing of terrorism, TO BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT AS SOON has met the customer in the course of business targeted financial sanctions on the financing of AS IS PRACTICABLE” when conducting client risk assessments; terrorism, wire transfers, financial intelligence requirements on a regulated person to undertake Kelly Mercer, Isle of Man Financial Services Authority unit, cash couriers, and statistics. certain considerations in cases of introduced business; and amendments related to reliance of a The watchdog also re-rated the Isle of Man as regulated person on third parties. PHG ISLE OF MAN Investec Bank awarded Alternative Banking VIDEO: Regime licence to operate on Isle of Man Isle of Man government reveals department changes South Africa-based Investec Bank is now licensed banking for high net worth individuals and family to operate in the Isle of Man after getting the offices. necessary approval from the authorities. The bank’s representative in the Isle of Man is The Isle of Man has granted a new financial Mark Beresford, who will be based in offices on services licence to Investec Bank (Channel Athol Street in the Island’s capital, Douglas. Islands) under the Island’s Alternative Banking Laurence Skelly, Minister for the Isle of Man Regime (ABR), according to a statement by the Isle Department for Enterprise, said: “It’s encouraging of Man’s government. to see a household name like Investec taking advantage of the Island’s Alternative Banking In this exclusive video Investec Bank (Channel Islands) is part of Investec Regime. The diversification of our financial interview International Investment’s Gary Bank, a specialist bank and asset manager services economy is essential in ensuring Isle of Robinson met with Simon Pickering, head providing a range of financial products and Man businesses have the right environment and of Insurance and Pensions, Finance services in three principal markets: the UK and support needed to flourish.” Department, Department For Enterprise, Europe, Southern Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Isle of Man Government, to discuss the The Isle of Man Government introduced the ABR important departmental changes that have The bank specialises in the provision of general in 2016 with the aim of attracting new banks to been announced today. GR banking and lending services to trust and the island. The promotion of the ABR is managed corporate service providers as well as private by the Department for Enterprise. PHG CAYMAN ISLANDS Investors Trust ratings upgraded to ‘Excellent’ in AM Best review Investors Trust Assurance has seen its credit operations and throughout the organisation. The Ariel Amigo, chief marketing and distribution ratings significantly upgraded across a raft of key ratings also reflect Investors Trust’s continued officer at Investors Trust, told International measurements, with the ratings agency AM Best improving risk-adjusted capitalisation trend, Investment: “We have worked very hard over the assessing the Cayman-based company’s financial growth in net income and expanding geographical years to achieve this upgraded rating from AM strength rating and its overall operating footprint. AM Best views Investors Trust’s quality Best. We are thrilled with the outcome and look performance. of capital favourably, as there is no debt or surplus forward to future developments that will further notes as part of the company’s capital structure. strengthen our position in the industry.” AM Best upgraded the company’s financial The policyholder assets are held in segregated strength rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) accounts with low insurance mortality liability. Partially offsetting these rating factors includes a and the long-term issuer credit rating to A- from high liquidity risk profile within the fixed income BBB+. The outlook of these ratings was also investment portfolio when viewed in a stressed revised to stable from positive. “WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD OVER economic scenario. This risk is primarily THE YEARS TO ACHIEVE THIS UPGRADED concentrated in asset allocations specific to less The ratings reflect ITA’s balance sheet strength, liquid structured products and commercial which A.M. Best categorises as strong, as well as its RATING FROM AM BEST. WE ARE mortgage-backed securities. strong operating performance, neutral business THRILLED WITH THE OUTCOME AND LOOK profile and appropriate enterprise risk FORWARD TO FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS” Operating performance continues to be profitable management (ERM). with a strong return on equity, increased fees from Ariel Amigo, Investors Trust a growing policyholder base, a more diverse The upgrades reflect the improvement and geographical footprint and high surrender charges integration of ERM in Investors Trust’s business relative to policy set-up costs. CCI ISLE OF MAN UAE, Singapore among eight exemptions in IoM disclosure change Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with different exemptions applying. The first Financial Services Authority Conduct of Business alongside Argentina, South Africa, the EU and group is composed of Hong Kong, South (Long Term Business) Code that, among other Qatar, Hong Kong and the UK are exempt by the Africa, the UK and the EU.