Torsten Ries (VP Fund Solutions): Expertise in fund structuring and administration
Torsten Ries, CEO of VP Fund Solutions Luxembourg SA shares how the company is adapting to evolving client needs and shaping its strategy to remain a trusted, innovative partner for fund managers and investors across Europe.
Could you briefly introduce VP Fund Solutions?
VP Fund Solutions is part of the ‘Asset Servicing’ division of VP Bank Group and is represented in Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. We provide comprehensive services as ManCo / AIFM as well as Central Administration, Transfer Agency and Corporate Services to a diverse range of clients, including asset managers, family offices, and institutional investors; VP Bank at the respective locations rounds out the asset servicing profile with custodian bank and depositary services. With over 25 years of experience, we specialize in tailored solutions for both traditional and alternative investment structures. One of our unique selling points is our ‘one-stop shop’ offering. We are able to offer all the services required to operate a fund, from advice and day-to-day business through to the termination of the fund. Clients can choose whether they want to utilise the entire range of services or just individual modules of this service range. This set-up is no longer available on a large scale in Luxembourg. This customizable model enables maximum flexibility, cost-efficiency, and tailored fund solutions. With just under 55 people in Luxembourg, we combine deep regulatory expertise with flexible, client-centric service models. Backed by the financial stability and international reach of VP Bank, we offer our clients reliability, innovation, and cross-border fund servicing capabilities.
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How are the needs of your clients evolving and how do you adapt to meet these changes?
Client needs are increasingly shaped by regulatory complexity, demand for transparency, ESG integration, and digital transformation. At VP Fund Solutions, we continuously adapt by investing in scalable technology, enhancing reporting capabilities, and develop our ESG services in accordance with the evolving regulations. Our modular service model allows us to deliver customized solutions that evolve with client strategies. Additionally, close collaboration with clients and ongoing regulatory monitoring ensure that we stay proactive rather than reactive. By aligning our operations with clients’ strategic goals — whether through cross-jurisdictional structuring, digital reporting tools, or regulatory compliance support — we remain a trusted partner in a rapidly changing landscape. We also recognise the need and desire for stable ownership of the service partner. Service partners often experience regular changes in ownership, which can lead to instability, changes in strategy, reorientation or fluctuation. VP Bank Group is largely owned for many years by three private anchor shareholders; one of these is the foundation of the Bank's founder. Also, because the fund business represents one of VP Bank's strategic business areas, the Asset Servicing division can pursue long term goals and strategies, which enables us to offer our clients reliability and predictability.
“Growth at the expense of good service quality is not an option for us.”
What is VP Fund Solutions’ vision for the next five years?
We want to grow ambitiously. However, this also means that we want to develop our mid- and back-office areas to the same extent. Growth at the expense of good service quality is not an option for us. Close contact with our clients and our solution-orientation are particularly important to us. At the same time, we want to strengthen our position as a cross-border fund services provider with a focus on innovation. Over the next five years, we aim to expand our digital capabilities, including automation and data analytics, to enhance efficiency and transparency. We will continue to enhance our tailored, high-quality ESG solutions to align with our clients’ evolving sustainability objectives. We would like to further strengthen our client base in the key European markets, particularly in the DACH region and the Scandinavian countries, while maintaining flexibility and personalized service that set us apart. We want to continue to be the partner for one-stop-shop and modular solutions. While the all-in offering offers significant opportunities for efficiency gains and cost control, the modular offering can provide a high degree of flexibility. Ultimately, we aim to be the partner of choice for forward-looking fund managers and investors. Finally, we want to be an employer of choice. The service business thrives on well-trained people who can provide a high level of service quality. We want to offer such people a flexible and exciting working environment so that we can maintain what we already have today: excellent employees.